Nebraska Football Legend Calvin Jones Dies at 54

OMAHA, Neb. — Calvin Jones, a record-setting running back for the University of Nebraska and Omaha Central High School, died Wednesday at his residence. He was 54.

Jones was found dead in the basement of his home after Omaha police and fire officials responded to a report of a gas odor. A close family friend told KETV NewsWatch 7 that Jones had been experiencing issues with his furnace and was using a generator to heat his home. Omaha police indicated that the preliminary cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Jones, a standout athlete at Omaha Central, set multiple high school records, including the Class A single-game rushing record of 367 yards and the career rushing record of 3,965 yards. He also excelled in track and field, winning five gold medals at the state track meet, including the 100- and 200-meter dashes as a senior.

At Nebraska, Jones became a key player in the Cornhuskers’ storied football program. After redshirting his freshman year in 1990, he set a freshman rushing record of 900 yards in 1991, becoming the first freshman to lead the Big Eight Conference in scoring. His breakout performance came on Nov. 9, 1991, when he rushed for a then-Nebraska record 294 yards and six touchdowns against Kansas.

Jones was a unanimous All-Big 8 selection in 1992 and 1993 and finished his college career with 3,153 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns, ranking second in Nebraska history at the time. He was also a two-time All-American and a finalist for the 1993 Doak Walker Award.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft, Jones played three seasons in the league, including a stint with the Green Bay Packers, where he earned a Super Bowl XXXI ring in 1996. After his NFL career, Jones returned to Omaha and played for the Omaha Beef in 2000.

Jones was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. His legacy as one of Nebraska’s most accomplished athletes remains intact, with fans and former teammates mourning his sudden passing.

“Calvin was a true legend, both on and off the field,” said a former teammate. “His impact on Nebraska football and the Omaha community will never be forgotten.”