Ex-Packers receiver James Jones joins San Jose State’s Ring of Honor

James Jones, a former San Jose State star and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers, will make a little history Friday when the Spartans induct him into their Ring of Honor.

Jones will become the first wide receiver and only San Jose native to ever be recognized in the CEFCU Stadium’s Ring of Honor when the Spartans play 24th-ranked San Diego State at home Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Joining the likes of legendary coaches Bill Walsh and Pop Warner, and quarterbacks Jeff Garcia and Steve DeBerg, Jones will be the 13th member of the Spartans’ Ring of Honor.

This will be Jones’ second honor in his hometown of San Jose this year. He’ll be inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 at SAP Center along with George Seifert, Summer Sanders and our former Mercury News colleague, Mark Purdy.

“It means more to me because I’m a San Jose kid,” Jones told this organization after the Hall of Fame news. “I didn’t just come to San Jose to play or coach, I’m a San Jose kid.”

A three-sport star at Gunderson High, just seven miles away from San Jose State, Jones played four years (2003-06) with the Spartans, the best of which was his senior year. That’s when Jones caught 70 passes for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jones may be best remembered for his game-winning touchdown on a 42-yard reverse to cap the Spartans’ furious come-from-behind win over Stanford in 2006.

He capped his San Jose State career by earning offensive MVP in the Spartans’ New Mexico Bowl victory – he had six catches for 106 yards and two scores in the 20-12 win over New Mexico.

“James is a pillar in the San Jose community and is well deserving of this great recognition,” San Jose State athetic director Jeff Konya said in a statement. “His successes on and off the field represent the highest achievements of our alumni and we are excited to welcome him to the Ring of Honor at CEFCU Stadium. Thank you James for continuing to make San José State proud every day and congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.”

Jones also enjoyed a successful nine-year NFL career, playing eight years with the Packers and one season with the Oakland Raiders. He caught five passes in Green Bay’s 31-25 win over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.

The 37-year-old Jones is currently an analyst for the NFL Network. He’s also active in the community, including his “Love Jones 4 Kids Foundation,” which helps children of all ages.

Here’s a list of the 13 members of the CEFCU Stadium Ring of Honor, in alphabetical order:

Bob Bronzan, Dave Chaney, Steve DeBerg, Jack Elway, Jeff Garcia, Claude Gilbert, James Jones, John Ralston, Dick Vermeil, Bill Walsh, Pop Warner, Gerald Willhite, Louie Wright.