Bert Jones is receiving another prestigious honor.
The first All-America quarterback in LSU history will have his No. 7 jersey retired inside Tiger Stadium during the November 14th game against Texas. The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee unanimously approved Jones’ jersey retirement.
“I had no idea that there was anything in the works so this is totally unsuspecting,” Jones said. “I have been the beneficiary of a lot of good things and received a lot of accolades and a lot of awards, but this is at the top of the list.
“To be (name and number) hung up in Tiger Stadium, where my father played, my brother played and cousins played, is special and what’s even equally as special is that I will be up there with my LSU roommate Tommy Casanova.”
The No. 7 worn by Jones will join Billy Cannon’s No. 20, Tommy Casanova’s No. 37, Jerry Stovall’s No. 21 and Charles Alexander’s No. 4 as retired jerseys in the LSU football program.
All retired jersey numbers are displayed on the façade in the south end zone of Tiger Stadium. All but Cannon’s No. 20 are still worn by current players. Cannon has the only retired number in LSU football history.
Jones and Casanova, a defensive back and return specialist, played together for three years (1969-71). Casanova, who remains the only three-time first-team All-American in Tigers history, had his jersey retired in 2009.
Jones and Casanova are both members of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Jones is also a member of the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
The Ruston native and a starter for the Tigers from 1970-72, compiled a 26-6-1 mark at quarterback for LSU, leading the program to three bowl games and the 1970 SEC Championship. He left LSU as the career leader for passing yards (3,255), touchdown passes (28), attempts (418), and completions (220).
“The Ruston Rifle” went on to be selected No. 2 overall in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. During his 10-year NFL career, Jones appeared in 102 games with 96 starts. He led the Colts to an 11-3 regular-season mark in 1976 on his way to earning NFL MVP honors.
A neck injury forced Jones to retire from the NFL following the 1982 season after passing for 17,7663 yards and 122 touchdowns in a career that spanned nine years with the Colts and one season with the Rams.