{"id":4372,"date":"2023-06-16T19:27:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T13:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.strippedpixel.com\/the-nfl-star-and-originator-of-the-spike-was-82-years-old\/"},"modified":"2023-06-16T19:27:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T13:57:44","slug":"the-nfl-star-and-originator-of-the-spike-was-82-years-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strippedpixel.com\/the-nfl-star-and-originator-of-the-spike-was-82-years-old\/","title":{"rendered":"The NFL star and originator of “The Spike” was 82 years old"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Homer Jones, a former NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants (1964\u20131969) and Cleveland Browns (1970), has died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 82 years old.<\/p>\n

Recognized for his considerable size and speed, Jones was a well-respected football player who, fittingly deadline<\/em><\/a>, still holds the NFL record for career yards per reception at 22.3 yards. He was also credited with inventing the “spike” landing celebration.<\/p>\n

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Jones’ first use of the “spike” came in a 1965 game where after scoring a touchdown, he threw the ball hard into the end zone. He later revealed that he did so because of a new rule introduced at the time in which a player would be fined $500 if he threw the ball into the stands, a common occurrence after a touchdown.<\/p>\n

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RIP Homer Jones at age 82. A collegiate sprinter, Jones joined #NYGiants<\/a> in 1964 and made NFL history in 1965. Not wanting to be fined for throwing the ball into the stands, Jones made up the tip on this 89-yard TD against the Eagles. In 1967, Jones led the NFL with 13 TDs #TogetherBlue<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SOcAtVWDNU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) June 14, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Homer Jones has died at the age of 82.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Played with the Giants from 1964-1969
\u2022 2x Pro Bowler (1967 and 1968)
\u2022 Led NFL in receiving touchdowns (1967)
\u2022 First player to score the football after scoring a TD<\/p>\n

RIP Homer Jones #NYGiants<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G3H8Qfn0PD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Giants Fans Online (@NYGFansOnline) June 15, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Born on February 18, 1941, in Pittsburg, Texas, Jones attended Texas Southern College (now Texas Southern University), where he played football and starred in track and field. In 1963, he was drafted by the AFL’s Houston Oilers, but a knee injury during training camp ruled him out.<\/p>\n

The New York Giants then picked up Jones, offering to pay for his knee surgery. He played for the Giants from 1964 to 1969 before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1970. He retired in 1971.<\/p>\n

“Homer Jones had a unique combination of speed and power and was a threat to score whenever he touched the ball,” Giants president and CEO John Mara said (via Giants.com<\/em><\/a>). “He was one of the first players (if not the first) to throw the ball into the end zone after scoring a touchdown and quickly became a fan favorite.”<\/p>\n

Mara added, “I remember him as an easy-going, friendly individual who was well-liked by his teammates and coaches.”<\/p>\n

Jones is survived by his six children.<\/p>\n

See more tributes below.<\/p>\n

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Honoring a legend a #NYGiants<\/a> who made NFL history and left his mark on the game. RIP Homer Jones.
Use my code TEMU! Code for code! ➡️189045177⬅️pic.twitter.com\/2ZplygRXND<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 L KIRBY⬇️ (@LKIRBY20927547) June 16, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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I was saddened to learn that former New York Giants shortstop Homer Jones died of cancer on Wednesday. Flamboyant wide receiver Jones (Pittsburg, Tx) was the first NFL player to run the football into the end zone after a touchdown catch in 1965.#RIP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/aeb7mWMAf3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Joe Hale (@Joeyballgamejh) June 16, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The New York Giants of the mid-1960s were nothing to cheer about. The one thing Giant fans could hang their hats on was that this guy could take it home anytime, anywhere on the field.
RIP Homer Jones, the NFL’s all-time career leader in receiving yards. pic.twitter.com\/AIbei14qbh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fennelly at football (@John_Fennelly) June 15, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Remembering Giants legend Homer Jones, one of the most prolific wide receivers in our history.<\/p>\n

📰: https:\/\/t.co\/WID9Q1pmBn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ma6xSFXgph<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 New York Giants (@Giants) June 14, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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RIP Homer Jones Giants wide receiver dies at 82, may be best known as the first player ever to pass the football after scoring a touchdown. Jones was known for his blazing speed and still holds the NFL’s all-time rushing record with a career average of 22.3 yards per catch. pic.twitter.com\/Ll9tQdafHe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FACTUAL COMMENT (@FACTUALCOMMENT) June 15, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n