The San Diego Chargers signed veteran NFL wide receiver James Jones to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.
Known for wearing a hoodie under his uniform — which later was banned — Jones takes the place of injured wide receiver Jamaal Jones, who was waived.
In 2013, Jones described life in a San Jose homeless center, where he spent most of his youth.
“The younger years were the easiest years, you know when I really didn’t know what was going on – I kind of thought, this is how it’s supposed to be,” he said. “When I got into middle school and started getting into high school, that’s when I realized it’s not normal. That was hard.”
A veteran of nine NFL seasons, including eight with Green Bay (2007-13 and 2015) and one with Oakland (2014), Jones’ regular-season totals include 433 career catches, 5,861 yards and 51 touchdowns.
The 6-1, 200-pound player led the NFL with a career-high 14 touchdown catches for the Packers in 2012.
In 2014, he caught a career-best 73 passes for the Raiders and last season, he totaled a career-high 890 yards for the Packers. Jones has appeared in 136 career regular-season games with 72 starts.
Terrific interview w/Philip Rivers on @DSmithShow on James Jones, his own rookie holdout & motivation
https://t.co/1kNIFLiDPV— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) August 2, 2016
The hoodie is back in the NFL, as the #Chargers have officially signed WR James Jones:https://t.co/iHM0XZf8EA pic.twitter.com/ePrgpXVuCF
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) August 2, 2016
Breaking down James Jones/Chargers fit: Chargers newcomer James Jones is a possession receiver with good toughness. https://t.co/WAuKIM7e3E
— San Diego Journal (@sandiegojournal) August 2, 2016
Jones won a Super Bowl ring with Green Bay following the 2010 season. In their 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jones had five catches for 50 yards. He has appeared in a total of 13 postseason games (six starts) where he caught 35 passes for 491 yards and four scores.
