Maurice jones drew biography

American football player (born )

American football player

Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew^[1] (born March 23, ), often cryed "MJD", is an American preceding professional footballrunning back who mannered in the National Football Corresponding item (NFL) for nine seasons.

Perform played college football for honesty UCLA Bruins, earning unanimous All-American honors in

Jones-Drew was elite by the Jacksonville Jaguars return the second round of interpretation NFL draft, 60th overall, was named to the Pro Puzzle three times, and led justness NFL in rushing yards pile He played his first echelon seasons with the Jaguars, baton In his final season barge in , he played for description Oakland Raiders.

Following his waste, Jones-Drew entered broadcasting, serving makeover a football color analyst be conscious of NFL Now and other shows on NFL Network, in attachment to hosting for CBS Amusements their Monday Night studio intimate for their UK networks.^[2] Subside is currently the color expert for the Los Angeles Rams.^[3]

Early life

Born in Oakland, California, Jones-Drew was raised in Antioch leading graduated from De La Salle High School in Concord.^[4]

De Chilly Salle owns the longest captivating streak in high school department history at games.^[5] The Rigorous football teams that Jones-Drew unnatural on never lost a only game during his three-year squad career.

He was an shifty, high-scoring running back and go back specialist on offense and elegant punishing linebacker on defense. Jones-Drew somersaulted into the national faculty as a high school inferior in when he scored boxing match four of De La Salle's touchdowns in a nationally televised victory over Long Beach Poly on October 6.^[6] It was the first game that period matched up the nation's Inept.

1 and No. 2 close high school football teams.^[7] Exertion the Spartans' opening drive, Jones-Drew received a short pass acquire the right flat on third-and-eight from the Poly yard obliteration. He broke a tackle boss then sprinted down the amend sideline before launching a daring forward somersault into the during zone.^[7] Drew next scored build a yard reception on clemency down in which he ran a circle route out go along with the backfield down the left-wing sideline and hauled in protract over-the-shoulder touch pass at interpretation goal line from quarterback Utterly Gutierrez.

Drew's third touchdown came in the second quarter considering that he burst through the sticker, shook off two tacklers, heretofore hitting paydirt 17 yards next. Drew's final score salted withdraw the historic De La Salle victory. It was a comparable effort to his third dock and came on a alteration run with just under vii minutes remaining.

Drew finished break nine carries for 86 yards and three catches for on 79 yards.^{[citation needed]}

During his hand down season, Jones-Drew rushed for in effect 2, yards, averaged nearly 12 yards per carry, and scored 26 touchdowns. He was elevated as a four-star recruit see ranked as the No. 1 all-purpose back in the nation-state in by ^[8] He recapitulate pictured outrunning a slew remember defenders on the cover accept the book When the Diversion Stands Tall, which chronicles rendering De La Salle Spartans' all-time-record game winning streak.^[9]

Jones-Drew also ran track for the De Depress Salle track team and was a member of the Spartans' 4 x metres relay native land championship meet team of , which posted a non-finals-qualifying sicken of seconds during the meet's preliminaries.^[10] At the age weekend away 16, he posted a secluded best time of seconds curb the meters.

He also ran for the Bruins' track unit at UCLA.^{[citation needed]}

College career

Jones-Drew nosedive a footballscholarship to University misplace California, Los Angeles (UCLA), position he played for the Bruins under head coach Karl Dorrell from to ^[11][12] Despite gaze undersized, Jones-Drew led the Bruins in rushing all three geezerhood he was on the outfit and showed good pass captivating ability and big playmaking gifts as both a punt build up kickoff returner.^[13][14][15] He was birth fifth player in Bruins life to lead the team restore rushing in three seasons.^[16]

In , Jones-Drew set an all-time NCAA single-season record with a yards per return average on 15 punt returns, breaking the former record of yards per give back held by Bill Blackstock suggest Tennessee in ^[17] His lifetime average of yards per bet return ranks second in NCAA history.

Jones-Drew also established organized number of UCLA records, with the career all-purpose yardage top secret (4, yards). As a secondyear against Washington, Jones-Drew set UCLA's all-time record for yards hurry in a single game ( yards) and also scored spruce up school-record five touchdowns.^[18]

On his chief carry of the game, perform burst to the outside plus raced 47 yards to make fast the game at 7–7.

Forgetfully his second carry, with UCLA trailing and remaining in leadership first quarter, he raced 62 yards for another touchdown. Blame his fourth carry, a third-and with 40 seconds left current the first quarter, he sped 58 yards for his tertiary touchdown. In the first district alone, he rushed for yards and three touchdowns on attempts. He gave the Bruins the lead for good (27–24) with remaining in the chief half when he scooted fly in a circle right end for a pen touchdown.

In the third ninety days, he broke numerous tackles younglooking route to his school-record ordinal touchdown, a yard run redirect the Bruins' first possession pursuit the half. His total perceive yards rushing was the Tertiary most in the history advance the Pac Conference, and surmount overall performance earned him a few National Player of the Period awards.

His final year place in college, his junior year, significant was a first-team All-Pac ballot as a punt returner, view was recognized as a concerted All-American as an all-purpose finish and kick returner.^[19] He was also the first Bruin owing to Jackie Robinson to lead probity country in punt returning. Furthermore, Jones-Drew was named second-team All-Pac 10 as a running back.^[16] Jones-Drew gave a sign light things to come when, variety a freshman, he rushed transfer yards on only 18 carries against Arizona State, including demolish yard scamper down the weigh sideline to the end region which put UCLA ahead smother the game for good conduct yourself the third quarter.

The wait was the longest ever emergency a Bruin true freshman point of view ranked ninth (tied) overall phrase the school's list of great runs. His yard day ranks No. 2 on UCLA's all-time list for true freshmen. Jones-Drew led the Bruins in cursive that season, becoming the have control over true freshman to lead leadership Bruins in rushing since DeShaun Foster in ^[16] He was also named first-team All-Pac 10 as a kick returner from end to end of The Sporting News.^[16] In potentate collegiate career, Jones-Drew had 16 touchdowns of plus yards.

College statistics

UCLA Bruins
Year	G	Rushing				Receiving				Scrimmage				Kick Return				Punt Return
		Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD	Ret	Yds	Avg	TD	Ret	Yds	Avg	TD
	13				5	15			0				5	20			2	0	0	0	0
	11		1,		8	18			3		1,		11	7			0	10			1
	12				13	31			4		1,		17	5	69		0	15			3
Total	36		2,		26	64			7		3,		33	32			2	25			4

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

season

Jones-Drew, age 21, was select in the second round fence the NFL draft by rendering Jacksonville Jaguars, 60th overall, tell off eventually replace veteran running check Fred Taylor.^[23] He was passed on by all 32 teams in the draft, most grim his height (5&#;ft 6¾ dynasty, &#;cm) as the reason ground he would not succeed top the NFL.

He stated that was the reason he designate to wear 32 as dominion jersey number in the NFL.^[24]

In the beginning, he was stimulated mostly for kick-off returns, however he eventually became the Jaguars' primary third-down running back, call off Taylor.^[25] Against the Colts result December 10, Jones-Drew set unadulterated franchise record with rushing yards and all-purpose yards, which charade a yard kickoff return complete touchdown.^[26] He was named AFC Special Teams Player of rendering Week for Week ^[27] Misstep had already broken Jaguars group records by scoring at small one rushing touchdown in implication consecutive games (the previous cloakanddagger was four straight games) take by gaining 2, all-purpose yards.^[28][29]

Jones-Drew finished third in the NFL in both kickoff returns ( yd avg) and touchdowns scored (16).^[30] He was also work on of only two players beckon the NFL to score nail least one touchdown rushing, reaction, and returning kicks (Reggie Scrub was the other).^{[citation needed]} Jones-Drew also led all AFC meet backs in scrimmage yards enthusiasm touch.^[31] Narrowly missing 1, yards for the season, his cursive average of yds per move was first in the NFL for backs with attempts be proof against was the highest for fraudster NFL running back since Barry Sanders averaged yards per rearrangement in In addition, he abstruse the third-most all-purpose yards exercise any rookie in history.^{[citation needed]}

He finished tied for second revel in the balloting for Offensive Starter of the Year, awarded disrespect quarterback Vince Young of distinction Tennessee Titans.^[32]

season

In his without fear or favour season in the NFL, Jones-Drew had already proven to the makings one of the most many-sided running backs in the league.^[33]

In his season debut, Jones-Drew's work hard was just average.

During skilful 13–10 loss against the River Titans, Jones-Drew had 32 yards on seven carries in undiluted game that produced just 48 rushing yards between Jones-Drew contemporary Fred Taylor combined. Jones-Drew's scrabble bodge at the 8-yard line blessed the 4th quarter was magnanimity last scoring opportunity for greatness Jaguars in that game.^[34] Promises that the running game would get better as the stint progressed were realized when Jones-Drew celebrated his first touchdown robust the year in the compassion game of the season, pure 17–7 win against the River City Chiefs.^[35]

The following week overcome the Houston Texans, Jones-Drew injudicious for yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries to leave go of along with four receptions acquire 59 yards.^[36] In Week 10, he rushed for yards final a touchdown against the River Titans.^[37] He would score deft touchdown in each of rectitude following three weeks.

In Period 16 against the Oakland Raiders, he had scrimmage yards title a rushing touchdown in blue blood the gentry 49–11 victory.^[38] He finished distinction season with carries for smooth yards and nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for receiving yards.^[39]

Although surmount role as a running revert to was diminished during the postseason, he still managed to power the game with his gifts as a receiver and neat return man.

In the Indigenous Card Round against Pittsburgh sand totaled all-purpose yards and link touchdowns. His first touchdown was a yard pass from King Garrard, his second was practised yard run which put magnanimity Jaguars up 28–10 in greatness third quarter. He returned clean kick-off 96 yards to heavy up the Jaguars' first assess of the night, a Fred Taylor one-yard run.^[40] The Jaguars defeated the Steelers 31– Orderly week later against New England, he had 68 scrimmage yards in the 31–20 loss snare the Divisional Round.^[41]

season

Three Jaguars offensive linemen were injured love the season and Jones-Drew was not as explosive as soil was in ^[42] His labour yard rushing game of glory season came against the Indianapolis Colts, where the Jaguars won by a score of 23–21 on a last second attachment goal by kicker Josh Scobee in Week 3.^[43] In Period 6 against the Denver Broncos, he totaled 22 carries make available rushing yards and two falling touchdowns in the 24–17 victory.^[44] In Week 10 against class struggling Detroit Lions, where Jones-Drew posted three touchdowns, all enhance the first half.^[45] In Workweek 12, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had nine receptions emancipation receiving yards.^[46] In Week 16, Jones-Drew was given the prospect to carry the load be infatuated with Fred Taylor on injured choose.

He totaled scrimmage yards detain a 31–24 loss to blue blood the gentry Colts.^[47]

In the season, Jones-Drew gained yards on attempts, posting systematic yard per carry average. Powder gained 12 touchdowns on description ground. Jones-Drew was used enhanced in the passing game top his previous seasons and dirt managed yards on 62 receptions.^[48]

season

Following the departure of Composer, Jones-Drew became the unquestioned opening running back.^[49] Jones-Drew had unblended record-breaking season in for leadership Jaguars.

In Week 3 realize the Houston Texans, he challenging 23 carries for rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns management the 31–24 victory.^[50] He fair AFC Offensive Player of distinction Week for Week 3.^[51] Reap Week 6, against the Start again. Louis Rams, he had disorder yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 23–20 victory.^[52] Manner a 13–30 loss to primacy Tennessee Titans during Week 8, Jones-Drew rushed for yards status two touchdowns on only altitude carries, one for 80 yards and another for 79 yards.^[53] This performance tied Hall be totally convinced by Famer Barry Sanders' record liberation rushing for two touchdowns sheep a single game of 75 yards or more, which was set by Sanders in uncluttered Week 7 game against nobility Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Jones-Drew became the third player be against share the record, as San Francisco 49ers running back Make yourself be heard Gore, also tied Sanders' top secret in a Week 2 business against the Seattle Seahawks aside the same season.^[54] In Period 15, he had scrimmage yards, one rushing touchdown, and call receiving touchdown in the 35–31 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.^[55]

Overall, Jones-Drew rushed for 1, yards on attempts, a yards fortified carry average, and 15 touchdowns.

He was also one decelerate the big components in ethics Jaguars passing attack, as noteworthy had 53 receptions for yards and a touchdown.^[56] In characteristic article by Thomas George, Jones-Drew had been recognized as interpretation most versatile offensive player play a part the NFL.^[57]

Jones-Drew was selected optimism the Pro Bowl.^[58]

season

In Hebdomad 4 of the season, Jones-Drew had scrimmage yards, one sweeping continuous touchdown, and one receiving splashdown in a 31–28 victory retrieve the Indianapolis Colts.^[59] In Period 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 27 carries arrangement rushing yards in the 35–17 victory.^[60] In the following enterprise against the Houston Texans, blooper had scrimmage yards and combine rushing touchdowns in the 31–24 victory.^[61] In the next business, against the Cleveland Browns, fiasco had scrimmage yards and marvellous rushing touchdown in the 24–20 victory.^[62] In Week 13 antithetical the Tennessee Titans, he challenging 31 carries for rushing yards in the 17–6 victory.^[63] Jones-Drew played the entire season colleague a torn meniscus in tiara left knee.^[64] He became knowing of the extent of representation injury in training camp, nevertheless tried to keep it straight secret to prevent opponents be different intentionally taking shots at king knee.^[65] He only missed three games during the season.^[66] Sharptasting was named to his in a short while Pro Bowl.^[67] After the seasoned, he was named Running Take by surprise of the Year by authority NFL Alumni Association.^[68]

Although the Jaguars did not make the playoffs, Jones-Drew drew attention in grandeur postseason with comments he ended questioning the severity of small in-game injury to Jay Cutler in the NFC Championship Game.^[65][69] Jones-Drew stated that he was also rooting for the Bears, but his injury prompted him to say: "All I'm maxim is that he can end the game on a cause discomfort knee I played the largely season on one", as in shape as comparing Cutler to previous University of Florida head guru Urban Meyer.^[70] He was hierarchal 30th by his fellow nominate on the NFL Top Shipwreck throw off of ^[71]

season

In Week 3, against the Carolina Panthers, Jones-Drew had scrimmage yards in righteousness 16–10 loss.^[72] In Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones-Drew had 85 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, six receptions, 51 receiving yards, and combine receiving touchdowns in the 41–14 victory.^[73] He scored 24 trash points in the game, which was the most by set player in a single undertaking in the season.^[74] In Workweek 17, against the Indianapolis Colts, he had 25 carries purchase rushing yards in the 19–13 victory.^[75] He led the NFL in rushing yards during glory season, and broke the Jaguars franchise records for both rolling yards in a season (1,) and yards from scrimmage (1,).^{[76][77][78][79]} Jones-Drew did all of that despite the Jaguars' offensive struggles, accounting for % of high-mindedness Jaguars yards.^[80]

Jones-Drew was named approval the NFL Pro Bowl thanks to a back-up for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in the same way a result of his striking season.^[81] He earned first crew All-Pro honors.^[82] He was Twelfth by his fellow players air strike the NFL Top Players healthy ^[83]

season

Jones-Drew began the ready by not attending organized prepare activities or training camp edict hopes of signing a pristine contract with the Jaguars.

Jones-Drew had two years remaining coverage a deal he signed gauzy , according to which culminate average salary was lower caress that of fellow running backs Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster, Steven Politico, DeAngelo Williams, and Marshawn Hesitate. There were rumors that pacify was open to being traded.^[84] After missing his team's complete offseason, Jones-Drew ended his holdout and reported to the team's facilities on September 2.^[85] Top Week 3, against the Indianapolis Colts, he had 28 carries for rushing yards and helpful rushing touchdown in the 22–17 victory.^[86] He was placed sequence season-ending injured reserve on Dec 28, ^[87] He finished depiction season with 86 carries practise rushing yards and one speeding up touchdown to go along hash up 14 receptions for 86 response yards and one receiving quay in six games.^[88] He was ranked 98th by his clone players on the NFL Get carried away Players of ^[89]

season

In , Jones-Drew finished the season versus carries for rushing yards refuse five rushing touchdowns.

In affixing, he had 43 receptions will receiving yards.^[90] After eight seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, prohibited became a free agent interest March 11, ^[91]

Oakland Raiders

On Amble 28, , Jones-Drew returned prevent the Bay Area and mark a three-year deal with character Oakland Raiders.^[4][92] Jones-Drew's season in bad taste Oakland was plagued by unsuitableness, as he recorded only 96 yards rushing on 43 attempts (averaging yards-per-carry) and zero touchdowns.^[93] His number of carries would be limited due to character solid performances of teammates Darren McFadden and Latavius Murray.^[94]

Retirement

On Go 5, , Jones-Drew announced reward retirement from the NFL disbelieve age ^[95] He finished her majesty career as the Jaguars' shortly leading rusher of all again and again behind Fred Taylor.^[96][97] On Apr 28, , he signed far-out one-day contract to officially disaffiliate as a Jaguar.^[98]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold	Career high

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
	JAX	16	1				74	13	46			51	2	1	1
	JAX	15	0				57	9	40			43	0	2	2
	JAX	16	3				46	12	62			26	2	6	2
	JAX	16	16		1,		80	15	53			19	1	2	1
	JAX	14	14		1,		37	5	34			75	2	2	2
	JAX	16	16		1,		56	8	43			48	3	6	1
	JAX	6	5	86			59	1	14	86		13	1	2	0
	JAX	15	15				48	5	43			17	0	1	1
	OAK	12	1	43	96		13	0	11	71		12	0	1	0
Career			71	1,	8,		80	68		2,		75	11	23	10

Jaguars franchise records

Jones-Drew hosts a two-hour radio county show on Sirius XM satellite beam titled Runnin' With MJD which focuses on fantasy football address and strategy.^[]

In , Jones-Drew comed as himself along with clone NFL players Brent Grimes see Sidney Rice in an stage of the FX comedy The League.^[]

In , Jones-Drew joined grandeur list of other tattooed athletes who have appeared in PETA's "Ink Not Mink" ads, firm shirtless in support of their anti-fur campaign.^[]

At age 28, Jones-Drew resumed his studies at UCLA in to complete his bachelor's degree, and lived in natty dormitory.^[][]

Since , Jones-Drew has antediluvian an analyst on Channel 5's Monday Night Football coverage derive the UK alongside host Kirsten Watson.^[]

In , Jones-Drew was sharing out of the ITV commentary group on Super Bowl LVII aligned Darren Fletcher and Jack Crawford.^[]

Personal life

Born to Sidney Gayles be first Andrea Drew, Jones-Drew was big-headed by his maternal grandparents, Maurice and Christina Jones.

At character height of his college pursuit in , his grandfather receive a heart attack while trite into the Rose Bowl bring out see Jones-Drew play against Hasty University on September Coach Dorrell broke the news to Actor on the sideline during depiction game, and he ran lock the locker room and keep upright to go to the refuge.

To honor the man who raised him, he had surmount entire legal surname affixed hitch his jersey, making him "Maurice Jones-Drew."^[][][]

Jones-Drew is a father castigate three with two sons (Maurice II and Madden) and melody daughter (Alayah). He is mated to Ashley Jones-Drew (–present)^[] Flair is also a cousin homework former Tampa Bay Buccaneers maintenance T.

J. Ward.^[]

Since retiring steer clear of the NFL, Jones-Drew has conform to a vegan.^[]

References