Mike Jones (linebacker)

Michael Anthony Jones (born April 15, 1969) is an American football coach and former player in the National Football League (NFL). During his twelve-year NFL career he played linebacker for three teams: the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but is best known for one play during Super Bowl XXXIV.

Jones attended college at the University of Missouri, where he originally played running back. He switched to the linebacker position when he signed with the Raiders as a rookie free agent. Between his rookie and second seasons as a Raider, Jones played for the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football. He was the starting middle linebacker for that 1992 Surge team that won World Bowl II.

Jones is well known for his actions during the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, known as The Tackle, when he tackled then-Titans receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line to preserve a Rams victory. Jones also had a superb performance during the regular season that year, recording one sack and four interceptions, which he returned for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered two fumbles, returning them for a combined 51 yards and one for a touchdown.

Jones finished his 12 seasons with nine sacks, eight interceptions, 132 return yards, five fumble recoveries, 94 return yards, and four touchdowns (two interceptions and two fumble recoveries) in 183 games.

After retiring as a player, Jones spent six seasons coaching high school football at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He led the team to a state title as the head coach in 2008. In 2010, he coached the linebackers at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was the head football coach at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Jones is now the head coach at Saint Louis University High School. Jones was also on NFL Top 10's "Top Ten One Shot Wonders" at #10.