Jones was born into an athletic family in Louisiana and played a variety of sports, including football, at his high school in Ruston.

A tall flanker back and a running and receiving threat, he was a key part of Browns teams that won NFL championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955.

Jones was born on December 29, 1924, in Arcadia, Louisiana, but moved with his mother and three older brothers to nearby Ruston after his father died when he was three years old.

Ruston's Bearcats football team won its first-ever state championship that year, with Jones playing left halfback and tailback.

[6] After graduating, Jones got a scholarship to attend Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, where one of his brothers played football.

[8] Jones carried the football for a total of 700 yards of rushing and scored four touchdowns in 1944, his junior year, and was named an All-American and an All-Southeastern Conference player by sportswriters.

[12] Led by quarterback and future teammate Otto Graham, the college players beat the Los Angeles Rams 16–0 that year.

[23] Jones played on offense alongside Graham, the team's quarterback, and star fullback Marion Motley as the Browns won all of their games in 1948 and beat the Buffalo Bills for their third straight AAFC championship.

[29] Cleveland won the NFL championship against the Rams that year, helped by Jones's skill receiving short passes underneath opponents' coverage.

[35] In 1953, Jones's production declined: he had just 401 total yards and no touchdowns, and he decided to retire after the Browns reached and lost another championship game.

[25][36][37] He went back to Ruston to work at a lumber business he ran in the offseason, but Brown asked him to return in 1954, saying the team needed him.

[39] He worked briefly as a special instructor for the Houston Oilers and an occasional advisor to college programs in Louisiana, but otherwise was out of football.

[49][50][51] He also coached receiver Paul Warfield, another hall of fame member who helped propel the Browns to the 1964 championship.

[54] The Browns had offered him a part-time coaching job but made clear that he could not stay on as offensive coordinator; Jones declined the reduced role.

[55] After leaving the Browns, Jones moved back to Ruston and did occasional scouting for the team at the nearby Grambling State University.

[4][59] Jones was married to Schumpert Barnes, one of his classmates from Ruston High School, from June 1946 until his death 78 years later.

[4][62] His son Bert Jones was a quarterback who played 10 seasons in the 1970s and 1980s for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams and won the NFL's most valuable player award in 1976.