Johnny “Lam” Jones, a former No. 2 overall pick for the New York Jets in 1980, died of cancer on Friday at the age of 60, per the Austin American-Statesman.
The newspaper went on to note that Jones had been in “a decades-long fight with myeloma cancer.” He spent his last days with friends and family at the Round Rock Scott & White Hospital.
Once a track and football star for the University of Texas, Jones was, perhaps, best known for winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in the 400-meter relay. He represented the United States at just 18 years old.
At Texas, he’d go on to become a speedster on the football field and draw the attention of NFL scouts. The Jets traded their 13th and 20th overall pick to the 49ers in exchange for the No. 2 overall selection in 1980. They would go on to select Jones and utilize his services for a brief five-year career in the league.
Jones never developed into the elite wide receiver that New York had hoped he’d become. His stats weren’t awful though, as he racked up 2,322 yards and 13 touchdowns in his time with the Jets. In 1983, his second-to-last season, Jones put up 734 yards and four touchdowns.
Jones also battled substance abuse problems during his life. On his road to recovery, he became a motivational speaker that utilized his past experiences to formulate a positive message to children.
