Robert Jones ( American football ) Robert Lee Jones ( born September 27 , 1969 in Blackstone , Virginia ) is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys , the St . Louis Rams , the Miami Dolphins , and the Washington Redskins from 1992 to 2001 . Jones played college football at East Carolina University and was drafted in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cowboys . He was the NFC Rookie of the Year in 1992 . He won three Super Bowl s with the Cowboys . Early life . After attending Nottoway County High School , in order to meet academic requirements for College , Jones attended Fork Union Military Academy post - graduate program for one year , before accepting a scholarship to East Carolina University . Jones would become the most accomplished linebacker in the history of East Carolina University . He received freshman All - America honors and also earned All - America honorable mention as a sophomore . As a senior in 1991 , he was a consensus All - America choice and one of the finalists for the Butkus award . Jones was a co - captain of the 1991 team that finished ranked No . 9 nationally with an 11 – 1 record and a Peach Bowl victory . In 2004 , he was inducted into the East Carolina University Hall of Fame . Professional career . Dallas Cowboys . Jones was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft , becoming the first player from East Carolina University to be drafted that high . The team moved Ken Norton Jr . to outside linebacker , alllowing him to become the second rookie ( Eugene Lockhart ) in Cowboys history to start at middle linebacker , and the second rookie ( Lee Roy Jordan ) linebacker in franchise history to start in a season - opener . He helped the Cowboys establish the top defense in the league in 1992 , was named NFC rookie of the year and was selected to the NFL all - rookie team . In 1993 he only started three games after being benched in favor of Ken Norton Jr . , who took over his middle linebacker duties . In 1994 , he would come back to have the best year of his career , going on to be selected to the Pro Bowl , after registering 162 tackles ( then the fourth - highest single season total in Cowboys history ) and 4 passes defensed while starting all 16 games at middle linebacker . During his four seasons with the Cowboys , Jones helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXVII , Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX . In the 90 ' s , the Cowboys organization felt they could find linebackers through the draft , without the need of paying a premium and adversely impacting the salary cap , so they allowed talented and productive players like Ken Norton Jr . , Darrin Smith , Dixon Edwards and Randall Godfrey , to leave via free agency , instead of signing them into long - term contracts . In 1996 after he became a free agent , the Cowboys replaced him by signing free agent Fred Strickland . Saint Louis Rams . Jones signed as a free agent with the Saint Louis Rams in 1996 , where he played 2 undistinguished seasons before being released for salary cap reasons . Miami Dolphins . In 1998 , he signed a one - year contract with the Miami Dolphins , reuniting him with Jimmy Johnson . That season Jones became an integral part of a defense that allowed an NFL low 265 points . He started all 16 regular season games at strongside linebacker and finished third on the team with 100 total tackles . He also put together career - high numbers of five sacks , two interceptions and five passes defensed . He returned one of those interceptions for the first touchdown of his career . After the season , the Dolphins rewarded him with a five - year contract extension . In 2001 , he was released by the Dolphins after not restructuring his contract . Washington Redskins . Jones signed a one - year deal with the Washington Redskins in 2001 , starting 9 of 15 games during the season . Houston Texans . In 2002 , he signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans , but upon his request was released before the season started . Green Bay Packers . One week later he signed with the Green Bay Packers , but was released shortly after to make room for signed free agent Hardy Nickerson . Over his 10 year career , he played in 151 total games and registered 974 tackles , 8 quarterback sacks and 3 interceptions . Personal life . Jones is the brother - in - law of Jeff Blake who also played at East Carolina University and in the NFL . Robert ' s son Cayleb Jones was a top college football recruit at wide receiver out of Austin High School in Austin , TX . , who signed to play for the University of Texas . He will transfer to the University of Arizona and be eligible to play in 2014 . Robert ' s second son Isaiah is a freshman wide receiver at East Carolina University .