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Dallas Cowboys running back and Tulsa mentoring spokesman.
A native Tulsan and Booker T. Washington High School alumnus, Felix Jones II was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2008 NFL Draft as the team’s first pick in the first round. After his successful playing career at the University of Arkansas, this pick made Jones the fourth running back ever to be selected in the first round by the Cowboys.
Jones also inspires in his work off the field, serving his hometown community as the first official spokesperson for Tulsa’s “Mentoring to the Max” program, a mentoring initiative providing after-school programs in public area elementary schools.
Below, Jones discusses his love of Tulsa and his passions for both giving — and running — back.
I support mentoring because … our children are the future. It’s so easy for them to get led down the wrong path, but with just a little guidance, it is even easier to guide them down the right one.
I became involved in Tulsa’s mentoring initiative because ... I had a lot of people watching over me and helping me stay on track when I was younger. I feel the need to give back what was given to me.
The best part about growing up in Tulsa is ... the family atmosphere.
My favorite part of playing football is ... being part of a team and working with others to achieve a common goal. It is a really satisfying feeling.
I am happy to be a Dallas Cowboy because ... first of all, just playing professionally at all is a blessing. Secondly, getting to play for my favorite team is just added bonus.
When I’m not on the field, I’m … relaxing.
In the future, I hope to ... stay healthy and continue to do whatever I can to contribute to my family, team and community’s success.
The best lesson life has taught me is ... to always be prepared to capitalize on opportunities because you will never know when they occur. You only get so many big chances.
My message to my fellow Tulsans regarding mentoring is ... a challenge. Make an impact on at least one child by joining a mentoring program like Mentoring to the Max or Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
My favorite thing about Tulsa is … the community has always been behind me and supported my decisions. I will always consider Tulsa home.
Extended Q&A
People would be surprised to learn that I … am very quiet.
I began playing football because ... I always looked up to my big brother (Andrew Jones) and wanted to do what he did and he played football, so … so did I.
My favorite memory of playing for Booker T. is … the pep rallies, especially the snake walk.
Playing for the Booker T. Hornets was great preparation for professional football because … there is such a tradition of athletic excellence there, and, because of that, I always tried to strive to be better so I could hopefully walk in the footsteps of those who came before me.
I knew I wanted to play football professionally when … like many kids, I always dreamed of playing in the pros, but as a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, that dream started to become a real possibility to me.
The hardest part about playing football professionally is ... getting hit by 350-pound defensive linemen.
The biggest challenge in my football career or life was ... overcoming my injuries to become a stronger athlete both mentally and physically.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is … to save my money — not just stuff it under my mattress or anything like that, but to invest it wisely and give charitably.
My other passions/hobbies include … taking part in charitable events like my Running Back to Make a Difference mentoring event and trying to step my golf game up, but that’s a work in progress.
The person I admire most is ... my mother, Deborah Jones, and my father, Felix Jones Sr.
If I could have one part of Tulsa with me in Dallas, it would be ... Big Daddy’s All-American Barbecue.
