Farewell To Eagles Punter and Philadelphia LEGEND Donnie "Bag Of Bones" Jones...
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(GoBirds.com) – After playing 14 seasons in the NFL and capturing a Super Bowl championship in 2017, punter Donnie Jones announced that he will retire from the NFL.
Jones retires as Philadelphia’s all-time leader in both gross punting average (45.37) and net average (40.5). He also owns the team records for most career punts inside the 20 (138), most single-season punts inside the 20 (34, 2014) and best net punting average in a season (41.6, 2015).
“After 14 seasons in the NFL, I have decided to retire so that I can spend more time with my family,” said Jones. “I am grateful for all those who have supported me throughout the years. Specifically, I would like to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson, and the entire Eagles organization for allowing me to be a part of their family for the past five seasons. I will truly miss my teammates, coaches, friends, and the best fans in the NFL. Although I am retiring, I will always be an Eagle and will forever have a special place in my heart for the City of Philadelphia. It is a great honor to be a part of the first Super Bowl championship team in Eagles history and there is no better way to finish my career.”
Not for nothing but had to give a shout out today to everybody’s favorite punter not named Pat McAfee. Our boy Donnie “Bag of Bones” Jones aka Durag Donnie aka Donnie LONGBALL aka Eagles Legend, Record Holder, and SUPER BOWL 52 CHAMPION retired those bones for good yesterday. It’s pretty damn tough for any special teams player, let alone a punter, to become so memorable for a franchise and a city but goddamn did he ever. Tip of the durag to Donnie for his service and cementing himself alongside all the other beer chugging Broad Street legends…
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Honestly if not for Jason Kelce’s Mummers magic, it would’ve been Bag of Bones taking the Philly parade title no doubt. And his beer-catching, durag-wearing performance wasn’t a fluke either. Our dude Donnie was a legitimate leader and cosmically positive force for one of the funnest locker rooms of ALL-TIME…
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And it wasn’t just the shenanigans that ingratiated Donnie into Philadelphian lore either. It was also the longball… And our boy Donnie had that in SPADES.
(NBC Sports) – Jones’ rise in popularity began Week 11 against Washington with a 70-yard punt that likely saved the Eagles from a humiliating defeat. If Jones played an exceptional game against Washington, his efforts could be described only as Herculean vs. the Cardinals. And if he was merely one of a handful of heroes in the previous win, he was legitimately the most valuable player the following contest.
The Eagles called upon Jones to punt eight times against the Cardinals, including five straight possessions at one point in the second half. Of those punts, seven were downed inside the opposing 20 — the NFL record is eight — with a 44.3 average and a long of 69, nice.
The Eagles edged the Cardinals by three, 24-21. It wasn’t just one memorable kick. Each time Jones stepped on the field was pivotal.
In those two games alone, Jones pinned 11 of 14 punts inside the opponents’ 20 with a 46.8 average. His kicks totaled 655 yards compared to just three return yards. With that performance, he became the fourth punter in NFL history to win Special Teams Player of the Week in consecutive games and the first since 1999.
Jones became an instant Eagles legend in the process.
FUCK YEA he did. And forever always he shall remain. Thanks for the memories and INCREDIBLE riots Donnie, you will be surely missed next season. I don’t care how high his cap number was gonna be, losing a sure thing on Sunday like Bag of Bones is gonna hurt no doubt. Unless Big Dick Nick wants to start swinging that leg For The Brand maybe? Big Click Nick wouldn’t hate that one bit. Au revoir Durag Donnnnnnnnnnie!