Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones during the 2008 NFL season.
No. 27     Chicago Bears
Running back
Personal information
Date of birth: August 21, 1982 (1982-08-21) (age 27)
Place of birth: Chester, Pennsylvania
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
College: Virginia Tech
NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30
Debuted in 2004 for the Detroit Lions
Career history
As player: Detroit Lions (2004-2007) Chicago Bears (2008-present)
Roster status: Injured Reserve
Career highlights and awards
2000 Hall Trophy Winner
Career NFL statistics as of week 17, 2009
Rushing yards	3,176
Rushing average	4.0
Rushing TDs	24
Stats at NFL.com

Kevin S. Jones (born August 21, 1982 in Chester, Pennsylvania) is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.

[edit] High school career

Jones was a standout in football when he came to Cardinal O'Hara High School as a freshman. Coach Stratts had no choice but to put him in as a freshman. Jones broke many records at O'Hara and finished his career up with a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, in the game he scored four touchdowns.

[edit] College career

Jones attended Virginia Tech where he finished his career there with 3,475 yards and 35 touchdowns on 616 carries (5.6 yards per car. avg.), and 24 receptions for 229 yards (9.5 yards per rec. avg.). His 3,475 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns both rank second on the school's career-record list.

[edit] Stats

• 2001: 175 carries for 957 yards (5.47) and 5 TD. 6 catches for 47 yards.
• 2002: 160 carries for 871 yards (5.44) and 9 TD. 4 catches for 21 yards.
• 2003: 281 carries for 1647 yards (5.86) and 21 TD. 14 catches for 161 yards.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Detroit Lions

Jones had a successful rookie season with the Lions and became only the third running back in franchise history to rush for 1,000+ yards in his rookie season, joining the ranks of Billy Sims and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. He was sidelined at the end of the 2006 season with a Lisfranc fracture.

Jones, still working himself back from the Lisfranc fracture suffered in 2006, looked impressive early on in the season splitting carries with Tatum Bell and saw his first action as a starter in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown in his second start of the season in a Week 8 victory over the division rival Chicago Bears.^[1] In Week 7, Jones became the full time starter, getting the bulk of the carries for the Lions, with backup T. J. Duckett seeing only limited action. But Jones injured himself again, creating concern about his durability.

On March 13, 2008, the Lions released Jones. However, it was reported that the team could bring him back at a reduced salary.^[2]

In May 2008, the New England Patriots hosted a visit with Jones at Gillette Stadium. Back in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Patriots had been high on Jones when he was coming out of Virginia Tech, and were prepared to select him with the No. 32 overall selection in that draft, but the Lions selected him through a trade at No. 30.^[3]

[edit] Chicago Bears

On July 14, 2008, it was reported that Jones would sign with either the Chicago Bears or Pittsburgh Steelers the following day. On July 15, he signed a one-year, $605,000 contract with the Bears.^[4]

On March 6, 2009, the Chicago Bears agreed to terms with Kevin Jones on a two-year contract worth approximately $3.5 million. The deal includes a $1 million bonus and $2 million in the first season. He is intended to be the primary backup to Matt Forte.^[5]

On September 3, 2009, Kevin Jones was injured during a preseason football game when he was hit out of bounds by Cleveland Browns linebacker Marcus Benard. Kevin Jones is out for the 2009 season with torn ligaments in his left ankle.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Chicago Bears bio
• Detroit Lions bio
• Virginia Tech Hokies bio