Terry Jones Made Most Of Short Trip

Earlier this year, ’BAMA Magazine continued a long tradition of having its readers select the Alabama Team of the Decade. The team was previously announced, but this summer we are revisiting and taking a deeper look at those selected. Linebacker Rolando McClain was the Player of the Decade.

Readers of ’BAMA Magazine had the opportunity to select only one tight end when they chose the Alabama football Team of the Decade for the first ten years of the New Millennium (2000-2009). The one selected was Terry Jones, Jr. of Tuscaloosa, who played for the Crimson Tide 1998-2001. He came to Bama from a high school only a couple of blocks from The University, Tuscaloosa Central.

An outstanding athlete who considered a college career in basketball, the son of former Alabama and NFL great nose tackle Terry Jones was the combination coaches love in a tight end. He was an outstanding blocker and also a good pass receiver.

The decade did not start well for T.J. as he suffered a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina in the fifth game of 2000, his junior year.

He came back to start every game as a senior, catching 12 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. That doesn’t include a key reception as he hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Zow for the winning points in Alabama’s 14-13 win over Iowa State in the Independence Bowl.

For his career he had 31receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns.

Jones played professionally for Baltimore and San Francisco.

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series on members of the Alabama Team of the Decade.