The Nebraska football community is grieving the death of cherished Husker running back Calvin Jones.
Reports indicate that Jones was discovered deceased at his residence on Wednesday, at the age of 54. Preliminary investigations suggest that carbon monoxide poisoning may have been the cause; friends mentioned he had difficulties with his furnace and had switched to using a generator. Emergency responders noted a “gas odor” at the scene.
Jones was a standout player for several exceptional Cornhusker teams in the early 1990s. The official Nebraska football account on X/Twitter honored the Omaha native with a tribute, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Husker legend and Super Bowl Champion, Calvin Jones. Our hearts go out to the Jones family, and he will be greatly missed,” in a statement released Thursday evening.
Jones played for Nebraska from 1990 to 1993. After redshirting his first year, he made a remarkable debut in 1991, amassing 900 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
In the 1991 season, Jones earned second-team All-Big Eight honors and led the nation with an average of 8.3 yards per carry. He set a school record with 294 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a game against Kansas, with the rushing record standing for nearly two decades and the touchdown record still intact today.
He was named first-team All-Big Eight in both 1992 and 1993, and was the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year in 1992. In his final year, he received third-team All-American honors.
Throughout his time in Lincoln, Jones accumulated 3,153 rushing yards and scored 40 touchdowns. He was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft and played three seasons in the NFL with Los Angeles and the Green Bay Packers.
Tributes for Jones have been coming in throughout the afternoon and evening. We also extend our sympathies to his friends, family, and former teammates during this challenging time.
