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Legendary Nebraska Running Back Found Dead At 54

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 5:48 PM ET

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team lost a beloved alumni this week as former running back and Super Bowl champion Calvin Jones passed away. He was 54 years old.

According to Jake Anderson of KETV NewsWatch 7, Jones is believed to have passed away due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Jones told a friend that he had been having issues with his furnace and had to switch to using a generator. When officers arrived at his home, they discovered "an odor of gas" and Jones deceased in his basement.

“A close family friend told KETV that Jones was having problems with his furnace, his home was cold and had to use a generator,” Anderson wrote. “According to a police report, officers responded to the home to help Omaha Fire with an odor of gas.

“Jones was found deceased in the basement of the residence. Omaha police told KETV that it’s indicative of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Omaha Central grad, former Nebraska football standout Calvin Jones dies at 54 | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/jbz0nbneMr
— KETV NewsWatch 7 (@KETV) January 23, 2025

Jones was a three-year starter for the Huskers who earned numerous accolades with the program between 1991 and 1993. He was a three-time All-Big Eight selection and was named the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year in 1992 plus a Third-Team All-American in 1993.

In 1991, his first year as a starter, he set a school record with 294 yards in a win over Kansas. The record would stand for nearly 20 years until Roy Helu topped it with 310 in 2010. But Jones also set a school record of six rushing touchdowns in that game, a mark that still stands to this day.

Jones finished his career with 3,153 yards and 40 touchdowns. By the time Jones graduated in 1993, only the legendary Mike Rozier stood above him in Nebraska's all-time rushing rankings. His marks have since been surpassed by others.

After graduating, Jones was drafted in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders. He played sparingly for them over two seasons and joined the Green Bay Packers in 1996.

Though he played in only a handful of games for the Packers that season, he got to be a part of the team's Super Bowl run as they went on to win Super Bowl XXXI.

1996 would be his final NFL season. He gave pro football one more shot with the National Arena League's Omaha Beef in 2000.

Our hearts go out to Jones' family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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