Jones played college football at Wichita State University for Willie Jeffries, where he earned several honors as a tight end, including the Ben Hustle Award (1981), and All-Missouri Valley Conference (1983). Following his senior season with the Shockers, Jones went on to play for the Redskins in the National Football League, where he helped the Redskins win Super Bowl XXII. The Redskins traded him to the San Diego Chargers during to the 1988 season, but Jones was forced to retire after suffering a knee injury before the next season.