Tyrone Jones, the colourful and outspoken linebacker who helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers capture two Grey Cup titles during his eight-year tenure with the CFL club, has died. He was 46.
Jones died in his native Georgia on Tuesday morning. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2005.
Bombers president Lyle Bauer was a teammate of Jones and said his gregarious spirit will forever be remembered.
`This is a very sad day, however we need to remember and celebrate the person of Tyrone Jones; the player of Tyrone Jones and the human being that was Tyrone Jones,' Bauer said in a statement. `He made a huge, huge impact on this football team and this league.
`I truly mean it when I say we need to celebrate the life of a friend and teammate. Tyrone will be remembered for a long, long time.'
Jones joined the Bombers in 1983 and spent eight seasons with the CFL club ('83-87, 89-91). The former Southern University star also spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions. He tried out with the NFL's Phoenix Cardinals in 1988.
Jones was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1999.
