Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Winnipeg (CFL.ca) - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club regretfully learned Tuesday of the passing of Tyrone Jones, who died this morning at 4:30 a.m. in his native Georgia. Jones had been battling brain cancer since August, 2005. He was 46-years-old.

“This is a very sad day, however we need to remember and celebrate the person of Tyrone Jones; the player of Tyrone Jones and the human being that was Tyrone Jones,” said Lyle Bauer, the president and CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and long-time teammate of the four-time CFL all-star. “He made a huge, huge impact on this football team and this league. I truly mean it when I say we need to celebrate the life of a friend and teammate. Tyrone will be remembered for a long, long time.”

Jones played eight seasons with the Blue Bombers (1983-1987, 1989-1991), becoming one of the franchise’s best linebackers ever. The Southern University product still holds the Winnipeg career sack record (98) along with Grey Cup records for most sacks in a game (four) and most Grey Cup sacks (five). Jones anchored a defence that helped win the Blue Bombers Grey Cup titles in 1984 and 1990. He was the Grey Cup MVP in the first of those championships and captured the league’s top defensive player award in 1985.

Jones kept close contact with the Blue Bombers, even upon retirement from the CFL in 1993. The five-time division all-star attended the organization’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2005 and 2006 Grey Cup, which was held in Winnipeg.

“Tyrone will be deeply missed,” said Bauer.

Jones is survived by his three sons. Funeral services are pending.