First off, what have you been up to – still working to get back in the NFL?
I’m still planning to play in the UFL next season for Houston. Outside of that I’m working with my college roommate Shaun Crawford on a sports media production company – creating content with that. My mission is still getting back to the NFL and I’m staying in shape right now here in Dallas.
Were there guys who helped mentor you most early in your career?
In Houston there wasn’t much opportunity. That was the Covid year. I signed there as an undrafted free agent – meetings at that time all had to be virtual. I was in Rochester at the time. The NFL mandate was that only 75 players could be brought to camp and I was one of the unlucky guys that didn’t make the cut. So I never got to practice with them.
That year I ended up sitting out for the season and just stayed and trained in Rochester. But next season I reached out to Notre Dame and they let me attend their pro day. That’s where Tomlin and Omar Kahn found me and signed me on the spot.
What did they say to you?
I felt good – I had lost some weight and was faster. Tomlin said “I see you Jones! Calm down – we’ll come and get you!” I thought he was joking – but when we were done he signed me right there and asked if I could be in Pittsburgh the next day. I said “Yeah!”
You made the roster – what worked for you that preseason?
That was the year Watt had held out – that worked in my favor – there were more reps on the table for me. Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Cassius Marsh….they were all helpful. Stephon Tuitt too – I knew him from Notre Dame – he was friends with my brother and he and I had a class together too. He was a huge dude but quiet as a mouse!
It started also at the top – with Tomlin. He was very fair in what he expected of us and what he wanted to see – he communicated all of that so well. There were no surprises. If a coach can communicate those expectations – as a man you can make the necessary decisions to show that you belong.
Were there guys in Pittsburgh that helped you most – how so?
Special teams was my forte’. I was always in Danny Smith’s ear. Bur everyone really showed me how to prepare – what it took off the field. I watched everything they did. TJ – his off-field routine – the extra massages and workouts outside of the facility he did. He sent me a text message detailing it all that took forever to read it was so long! It was so different going from high school and college to the pros. I didn’t grasp that before then.
How did your style of play fit the team?
The 3-4 fits the style of player I am. They want it to be simple in Pittsburgh – they want guys getting up the field and causing havoc. They had us play each play like a pass – to get after the passer. That was our primary job. Get off the ball and cause havoc.
That worked for me. I was fast off the ball and learned a lot more about pass rush moves from TJ and Alex. I put some pass rush moves together. At Notre Dame I was an off-ball linebacker until my Junior year when they moved me to defensive end. I had no idea before the NFL how to rush the passer.
Any memories on the field that stand out to you in Pittsburgh?
The opener in Buffalo. That was bittersweet. I’m from Rochester and have been to my fair share of Bills games. Looking up in that first row and seeing people I grew up with cheering for me and against the Bills, yelling my name….that was bittersweet.
Also – my first play was a punt. I went to kick-step and tripped over my shoelace and the guy did an inside move and almost blocked the punt. That was eye-opening. The next day we watched the tape and Danny Smith saw that and asked “What happened there Jamir?” He chewed me out after that. That was a welcome to the NFL experience.
The next year I was back. The season opener against the Bengals was a crazy overtime game – the Bengals missed a field goal at the end of regulation- it was an unbelievable game. The defense was on its head the entire game. Alex went down late that game and I played some meaningful snaps on defense that game.
Any fun off-field memories that stand out?
The plane rides….Cam was the grandpa of the team but loved having fun. TJ once work was done would crack jokes in the locker room too. The comradery was fun – I didn’t have the Latrobe experience though that first season and I know that’s a great way for players to bond too.
In the locker room – playing cards and gambling… it was a brotherhood. It felt like family. I’ve been on a number of teams but that building – from the cafeteria. weight room and training staff – it was a family.
You mentioned having played for a number of teams – how do you navigate that emotionally/psychologically?
It’s tough, honestly. I came from not much to being the richest person in my family. That pressure – I was the guy they came to whenever they needed something. That was tough. I was the 51st or 52nd guy on a roster of 53 – every day I was fighting for a job. I learned quick that the NFL is a business. I started a game week three then was cut. That was tough. Then I went to L.A. and played on special teams and played well. That linebacker room was stacked but I still got a hat over other guys, but we knew that one day one of us would be cut.
That happened to me on Christmas eve. The cut me by phone and told me someone would come by and pick up my iPad. So I had to spend Christmas alone in L.A.. In one day I went from a team favored to go to the Super Bowl to a two-win Jaguars team.
Three teams in one year is tough. Just when you feel like you’re becoming part of a team then you have to do it all over again – new players, coaches, training staff and facilities… You just have to have the mindset to control what you can control. To keep a positive attitude and remember how blessed you are to be in the NFL – even if it’s just being on a practice squad.
Any advice to offer those trying to make it in the NFL?
One – as an undrafted feee agent trying to make a squad – special teams. I can’t say that enough. You have to be good on special teams just to have a chance. Spots are limited – you have to be a demon on special teams.
Two – make the most of every rep – every practice and walk-through. You need to show the coaches they can trust you – that you know what to do. Being from Notre Dame – I had three defensive coordinators and three defensive schemes in three years. So knowing the playbook was never a problem for me – I had to learn how to get a playbook down quickly. I could show that to teams early on.
And last – bust your ass every single day. My first year both hamstrings were almost gone – but there was no way I was coming off the field. I knew that was my chance and I was going to do whatever it took to make it.