Jimmy Jones (2015) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Jimmy Jones

Induction:
2015
Class:
1971

Jimmy Jones was USC’s passing leader for three seasons (1969-71), including quarterbacking a Trojan team that posted a historic 42-21 victory at Alabama in 1970 (a game that was credited with helping integrate Southern football because of the outstanding performances that day of USC’s African American players, including Jones). As a sophomore in 1969, he guided Troy’s “Cardiac Kids” to a 10-0-1 season, including a trio of last-minute victories and a win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. A two-time USC team MVP who set a number of school records in an era when African American quarterbacks were uncommon in the sport (in 1969, he was the first to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated), he threw for 298 completions, 3,092 yards and 30 touchdowns in his USC career. He then played seven seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders, twice leading Montreal into the Grey Cup (winning it in 1974). He then returned to in his native Harrisburg, Penn., where he became a minister, coach, counselor and broadcaster.