Jones was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, where he played football for his father at CA Johnson High School.
As a senior he was selected as first-team All-State tight end and linebacker, and was elected to play in the 50th annual NC vs. SC Shrine Bowl.
In 1996, he was elected captain of a Patriots team that would go on to be AFC champions and play in Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers.
After a miraculous season which finished with an incredible playoff run and a 23–16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, Jones called it a career and decided to retire.
Ironically, the player making the tackle on the final play to clinch the Super Bowl for the Rams was also named Mike Jones.