Walter Jones ( American football ) Walter Jones , Jr . ( born January 19 , 1974 ) is a former American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League ( NFL ) for thirteen seasons . Born in Alabama , he played college football at Florida State University . Jones played his entire professional career with the Seattle Seahawks , where he was a seven - time All - Pro selection and eventual NFL 2000s All - Decade Team honoree . Starting in each of his 180 games in Seattle , the Seahawks attempted more than 5 , 500 passes with Jones on the field , while Jones gave up a total of only 23 quarterback sack s , and was penalized for holding just nine times . By acclamation , Jones is widely considered one of the best offensive lineman of all time . College career . Jones attended Holmes Community College for two seasons , where he was named Mississippi Junior College Player of the Year by the " Jackson Clarion - Ledger " in 1994 . Then 6 ′ 5 ″ and 265 pounds , Jones played both offensive tackle and tight end . He allowed one sack in two seasons . After transferring to Florida State University , Jones had to redshirt the 1995 season . As a junior in 1996 , Jones started 11 games and the 1997 Sugar Bowl for the Seminoles and allowed one sack , subsequently earning second - team All - ACC honors . He decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 1997 NFL Draft . Professional career . Jones was drafted by the Seahawks in the first round and sixth overall in the 1997 NFL Draft . He started every game in which he played , beginning with his rookie season . Jones was a member of the 2005 Seahawks team that reached Super Bowl XL against the Pittsburgh Steelers . In 2006 , Jones topped the list of the 101 best NFL players by the Sporting News . Jones was a nine - time Pro Bowl selection and seven - time All - Pro . Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade , exemplified by being voted to the NFL ' s 2000s All Decade Team . He paved the way for Shaun Alexander ' s NFL record - setting success . From 1998 through 2000 , he also helped Ricky Watters achieve three consecutive 1 , 000 - yard seasons for the Seahawks . Walter Jones was recognized by John Madden as the best player in the NFL in 2004 in a broadcast . Madden recognized Jones in numerous broadcasts as the best left tackle in the NFL and possibly one of the best of all time . On Thanksgiving 2008 , Walter Jones succumbed to a knee injury playing against the Cowboys in his 180th and final game . The injury required microfracture surgery to repair and immediately ended his season . Jones tried to play again in 2009 , but was unsuccessful . On October 28 , 2009 , Jones was placed on injured reserve by the Seahawks . In a press conference the same day , Jones stated his intention to play in 2010 . On April 29 , 2010 , Jones announced on his Twitter account that he would retire . The Seahawks announced the retirement of his number , 71 , and governor Christine Gregoire declared April 30 to be " Walter Jones Day " in the state of Washington . On December 5 , 2010 , in a game versus the Carolina Panthers , in front of a crowd of over 66 , 000 , the Seahawks honored the career of Jones by retiring his # 71 jersey . His is only the second player number ( # 80 Steve Largent ) to be retired by the Seahawks ( they have also retired # 12 in honor of the fans ) . On January 8 , 2011 , Jones lifted the 12th Man flag at Qwest Field before the Seahawks ' wild card matchup against the New Orleans Saints . The 7 – 9 Seahawks went on to defeat the defending Super Bowl champion Saints 41 – 36 .