Homer Jones was a Pro Bowl wide receiver for the New York Giants widely credited as the inventor of the NFL touchdown spike, one of the most recognizable celebrations in sports.
- Died: June 14, 2023 (Who else died on June 14?)
- Details of death: Died in Pittsburg, Texas, of lung cancer at the age of 82.
- We invite you to share condolences for Homer Jones in our Guest Book.
Homer Jones’ legacy
A two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver originally hailing from Pittsburg, Texas, Jones started out by playing for Texas Southern College (now Texas Southern University). In fact, he almost started his pro football career with his hometown team, the Houston Oilers – he was drafted by the team in 1963 but got cut after suffering from a knee injury in training camp. The New York Giants quickly offered him a tryout and money for knee surgery. Jones seized the opportunity and became a star player.
Jones’ speed helped him dominate from 1966 to 1968, a three-year period during which he had 28 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards in each of those seasons. His most dominant year was 1967, his first of two consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. That year, he caught 49 passes for 1,209 yards and led the league with 13 touchdowns.
Jones’ most notable legacy is arguably the touchdown spike. Starting in 1965, the NFL had begun to fine players who threw the ball into the stands after a touchdown. After an 89-yard touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones was just about to hurl the ball into the stands when he stopped himself and threw it into the ground instead. The crowd went wild, and the spike was born. Today, it may be the most common celebration in football. Injuries would end his career in 1971 at the age of 29.
Notable quote
“I just threw the ball down into the end zone, into the grass. Folks got excited, and I did it for the rest of my career.”—ESPN, 2015
Tributes to Homer Jones
Full obituary: CBS Sports
