With the 13th and 20th overall picks in the 1980 NFL draft, the NY Jets made a huge splash. The NY Jets made a trade with the SF 49ers for the 2nd overall pick. The Jets surrendered their 2 first round picks to move up and select WR John Wesley Jones. Aka Johnny “Lam” Jones.
Born April 4, 1958 in Lawton, Oklahoma, Johnny attended the University of Texas where he began his college career as a RB, but ended up moving to WR his last 3 years. As a freshman, Johnny averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored 5td. After the transition to WR, Johnny compiles 85 Rec for 1603 yards and 14Td. He boasted an impressive18.9 yard per reception.
Texas head coach Fred Akers nicknamed John “Lam” due to the fact that there was already a Johnny “Ham” Jones on the Texas roster and since Johnny attended Lampasas HS, it was an easy fit.
Johnny was most known for his world-class speed, which earned him a gold metal in the 1976 Olympic games in the 4x100 meter relay. The NY Jets were so impressed with his speed that they not only did they trade 2 first round picks to draft him, but they also gave him a 2.1 million dollar contract which was the first NFL contract that was over 1 million dollars.
As a rookie, Johnny started 13 games along side Wesley Walker and ended with 25-482-3. His best season as a Jet was 1983 where his numbers were 43-734-4. Johnny finished his Jets career after the 1984 season with 138-2322-13. He also scored the Jets final TD at Shea Stadium, when he hauled in a 27-yard pass from Pat Ryan.
