You know that feeling when you’re at a grocery store checkout, and you spot a celebrity on a magazine cover? Your brain does a little double-take, like, “Wait, is that…?” That’s exactly how I feel about Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Only, in his case, the magazine aisle would need reinforced shelving just to hold his presence.
Ed Jones isn’t just tall; he’s “Too Tall.” That’s not a nickname you earn by being a few inches above average. That’s a nickname you get when you’re six-foot-nine and built like a friendly refrigerator that can sack a quarterback. His net worth, as of today, sits somewhere around $2 million.
Now, for a guy who played in the NFL for 15 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, you might expect a number that looks like a lottery jackpot. But let’s be real: football in the 1970s and 80s wasn’t handing out yacht-sized contracts like they do today. His salary was more “buy a nice house” than “buy a small Caribbean island.”
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Imagine being paid in ham sandwiches and handshakes. That’s not far off from what early NFL players experienced. Ed’s rookie year in 1974, his base salary was around $40,000. Today, that’s what you’d spend on a mid-size sedan with a sunroof.
He wasn’t complaining, though. He was too busy being a monster on the defensive line. He made three Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro twice. But let’s be honest: his real wealth was in the stories. Like the time he tried boxing professionally after his first NFL stint.
Yes, you read that right. Ed “Too Tall” Jones, with his 82-inch reach, actually quit football to become a heavyweight boxer in 1979. He went 6-0 with two knockouts. Imagine showing up to a local gym and seeing a 6’9” giant asking for sparring. Talk about a confidence killer for your Tuesday night boxing class.
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Boxing didn’t make him rich. He reportedly earned about $20,000 per fight. That’s less than what a modern NFL kicker makes per overtime period. But he did it for the love of the challenge, like deciding to build a bookshelf without instructions. You know it’s going to be a mess, but you learn something.
He eventually came back to the Cowboys in 1980, and they gave him a nice raise. But still, compared to today’s million-dollar bonuses for simply breathing correctly during training camp, it was pocket change. His peak salary was probably around $500,000 a year. That’s a nice nest egg, but not “buy a private island” money.
So how does a guy like this end up with a net worth of $2 million? Let’s do the math. He didn’t have a shoe deal, no Gatorade commercials, and no ESPN breakdown show. He had a pension and some investments. Think of it like a very tall, very patient retirement fund.
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Life After Football: The Real Hustle
Most of us assume you play pro football, then you sit on a porch in a rocking chair, signing autographs for cash. But Ed Jones went private. He worked as a furniture mover and did security consulting. That’s right: the man who tackled Walter Payton once helped you move a couch up a flight of stairs.
Can you imagine calling a moving company and getting “Too Tall” at your door? “Hi, we’re here to move your king-sized mattress. Also, please don’t make any sudden movements.” That’s the kind of humble hustle that builds real wealth. He didn’t blow his money on diamond-encrusted grills or a fleet of Lamborghinis.
He bought a house in Dallas, paid his taxes, and probably invested in a few mutual funds. Sounds boring, right? But boring is how you survive after a career of slamming into giant men. Boring is how you get to $2 million without a scandal or a bankruptcy.
The Funny Math of “Too Tall”
Here’s a comparison for you: if you’re a regular person who saves $200 a month for 40 years, you’ll have about $96,000 (assuming 7% interest). Ed Jones saved a little more than that, but he also had to pay for custom-sized suits and extra-long air mattresses. That stuff adds up.
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Also, consider the cost of groceries for a 6’9” athlete. He probably ate more eggs in a week than you do in a month. That’s like buying a second mortgage just on breakfast. No wonder his net worth is modest. Dude was feeding a small army.
But truly, his net worth feels real. It’s not that “I have a billion dollars but I’m miserable” kind of wealth. It’s “I can pay my bills, go to the hardware store, and buy a decent set of socket wrenches” sort of money. You know, the kind of wealth that lets you sleep well at night.
He also dabbled in acting, with a small role in Everybody Hates Chris. Not a career-changer, but enough to give him a story to tell at barbecues. “Remember that time I played a tough guy on TV? It paid for my new grill.”
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What We Can Learn from Ed’s Wallet
The lesson here isn’t about losing money or making bad investments. It’s about perspective. Ed Jones didn’t chase the next dollar. He chased the next play. And when football was over, he didn’t become a tragic news story. He became a normal guy who happens to be extraordinarily tall.
His $2 million net worth is like a perfectly cooked steak: satisfying, not excessive. It’s the financial version of a comfortable pair of jeans. Sure, you could buy designer ones for $500, but the $40 pair from the store works just fine. And your knees still bend.
So next time you see a photo of Ed “Too Tall” Jones, don’t think, “He should have made more.” Think, “That guy probably has a nice backyard, a working truck, and zero regrets.” And honestly? That’s richer than most lottery winners.
He’s the Oak Tree of NFL finances: tall, steady, and built to last. And if you ever need to change a lightbulb in a two-story foyer, you know who to call. Just bring a decent tip.