By Darin Clinton Jones punishes opposing defenses with a lethal blend of world-class track speed and bruising power. As the explosive offensive engine of Michigan State’s legendary mid-1960s dynasty, Jones transformed the halfback position into a showcase of sheer dominance. He didn’t just break tackles; he shattered Big Ten records while anchoring back-to-back national championship teams alongside some of the greatest icons in gridiron history. Discover the story of the powerhouse runner who went from shattering records in East Lansing to starring in the NFL and claiming his rightful spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
May 24, 1945 – Cleveland, Ohio – Michigan State halfback Clinton Jones played from 1964 to 1966.
According to FootballFoundation.org, he was a two-time First Team All-American, finishing sixth in the 1966 Heisman Trophy voting, and a two-time consensus First Team All-Big Ten selection. Jones helped take the Spartans to back-to-back Big Ten and national championships in 1965 and 1966, setting conference single-game records with 4 rushing touchdowns and 268 rushing yards. He finished as the school’s second all-time leading rusher with 1,921 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The team was coached by College Football Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty and included Hall of Famers Bubba Smith, Gene Washington, and George Webster. The College Football Hall of Fame prominently honored Clinton Jones in its museum in 2015.
The NFF adds a final note on Jones’ post-college career: He was the second overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1967 NFL Draft, spending six seasons with the Vikings and one with the San Diego Chargers. He helped the Vikings reach Super Bowl IV and finished his NFL career with 2,178 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 5,035 all-purpose yards.
Conclusion
Clinton Jones secures an immortal legacy in football history as one of the most dynamic weapons of his generation. He anchored a transformative era for the Spartans, leaving behind standard-setting performances that defined the golden age of Big Ten football. By carrying his elite athletic traits into professional stardom with the Minnesota Vikings and competing on the game’s biggest stage in Super Bowl IV, Jones proved his enduring greatness at every level of the sport. His 2015 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame ensures that fans will forever celebrate him as a premier trailblazer of the gridiron.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2015.
- 2× National Champion: 1965, 1966 (Michigan State).
- 2× Big Ten Champion: 1965, 1966.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1966 (First-Team honors in 1965).
- 2× Consensus First-Team All-Big Ten: 1965, 1966.
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 6th in the 1966 voting.
- Big Ten Record Holder: Set single-game records with 268 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns against Iowa.
- NFL First-Round Pick: Selected 2nd overall in the famous 1967 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
- NFL Champion: 1969 with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Super Bowl Participant: Played in Super Bowl IV with the Vikings.
- Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2012.