Dhani Jones

Dhani Makalani Jones (pronounced: dah-HA-nee) (born February 22, 1978 in San Diego, California) is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. he was originally drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.

Jones has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles in his career.

Early years

As a senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland, Jones was an All-Met, All-Western Region, and an All-County pick, and also was ranked the fifth best linebacker prospect in the Atlantic Coast Region. His jersey has been retired. Jones was also a varsity wrestler in high school.

College career

At the University of Michigan, Jones was a three time All-Big Ten honoree. As a sophomore, Jones started nine games at linebacker and finished second on the team with 90 tackles and six sacks, playing alongside Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson on Michigan's 1997 national champion squad. As a junior in 1998, he started at linebacker and finished with 72 tackles. Lining up at strong side linebacker as a senior in 1999, he finished second on the team with 81 tackles.

Jones is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans, and is an initiate of the Epsilon chapter at the University of Michigan.

Professional career

New York Giants

Jones was selected in the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Giants in the sixth round (177th overall pick).

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired him from the Giants as a free agent in 2004. He started in Super Bowl XXXIX. On April 30, 2007 Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reported that the Eagles had released Jones.

New Orleans Saints

On the NFL Network on July 6, 2007, Jones signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he was thought to be able to push for a starting job. However, the Saints released him on September 1, 2007 when beginning to finalize their final roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

On September 19, 2007 he signed with the Bengals. In the 2008 offseason, Jones re-signed with the Bengals.

Arrest

Jones was arrested on March 26, 2006, in Miami, Florida. He was charged with "failure to obey a lawful command" after he refused police orders to stop dancing in the street outside a South Beach nightclub, the Snatch Rock & Roll Bar and Lounge. Others who were dancing at the same location complied with the police orders and were not arrested.

Personal

In addition to his prowess as a professional athlete, Jones has shown a variety of skills off the field. He founded a company that sells high-end bowties and also writes movie reviews and commentary for Page2 on ESPN.com. He hosted the ESPN2 show Timeless. During the 2006 NFL Playoffs, Jones was a correspondent for the NFL Network. On May 31, 2006, he was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony of his former high school.

He is currently filming a series of segments for the Travel Channel in which he learns how to play international sports that are unknown to most Americans. In January 2008 he played in a rugby union match in England for Blackheath R.C. in the EDF Energy Trophy against Launceston RUFC. He's currently in Ireland learning the ancient Gaelic sport of hurling and aims to play for a county team. Currently training with Lucan Sarsfields Intermediate's.

Jones is also an avid bicyclist, using his fixed gear bicycle to commute to practices and games throughout the year. http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-3-12-17716-1,00.html

After a big tackle, Jones does his "Guitar Playing" Dance in which he pretends to play the air guitar.