Calvin Jones, A Legacy In Nebraska Football, Leaves Behind Wife Valerie And Family

Nebraska Football running back Calvin Jones’ wife is mourning the tragic loss of her husband.

Former Husker running back Calvin Jones sadly passed away on January 22, 2025, at 54.

A close family friend told KETV that Jones was having problems with his furnace, and his home was cold, so he had to use a generator.

According to the police reports, an odor of gas was reported around Jones’ home, which the Omaha Fire Department and officers responded to on Wednesday night.

Jones was found deceased in the basement. Police told KETV News in Omaha that carbon monoxide poisoning was a possibility.

After a career at Omaha Central, he was a standout Husker in the early 1990s, making him one of the state’s most prized recruits.

Jone was an NFL third-round draft pick who won a Super Bowl ring with the Green Bay Packers in 1996.

The Husker football team has poured a small tribute to Jones through their social media handle, stating,

Jones ran for a Nebraska freshman record of 900 yards in 1991 after a redshirt season, part of the “We-back” tandem with Derek Brown.

That included a 294-yard rushing performance against Kansas, which would be the school record until Roy Helu broke it in 2010.

Husker fans will remember his burst for a 47-yard touchdown against Colorado in 1992 when he ripped his helmet off just as he crossed the goal line, a trend of the time.

It was a signature moment in the 52-7 Halloween night beatdown of the Buffaloes, which Husker fans still fondly recall.

Calvin Jones Left Behind His Wife, Valerie Jones, And His Maternal Grandparents

Calvin D’Wayne Jones was married to Valerie Jones, a pediatric nurse. According to the source, Valerie signed a three-year deal to work in Columbus while Jones was a salesman at Ernst Auto Center.

However, their exact marriage date has not been revealed yet, as he had managed to keep his details private.

Jones has never featured his wife on his official Facebook handle, and whether they had children is unknown.

Valerie and Calvin’s married life ended due to the tragic death of Calvin. Many relatives and close ones have poured their heartfelt condolences to Valerie and the entire Jones family to stay strong in this challenging period.

According to the source, Calvin was born on November 27, 1970, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, and spent much of his childhood with his maternal grandparents, James “Peter” and Pauline Smith. However, they have always supported him in achieving his athletic dreams.

During one of the interviews, Calvin talked about his grandparents,

Calvin Jones is survived by his uncle Vernon Steele, a former environmental health specialist at Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD).

Steele attended Topeka High School and later studied Radio and TV Communications at Washburn University.

According to Calvin’s Facebook handle, Calvin had two cousins, Charnielle L Jones and Synceree Jeanpierre.

Synceree is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but she lives with her husband and three kids in Bellevue. Her Facebook profile shows she has been married since July 3, 2012.

Additional Information

• Jones’ best single-game performance came as a redshirt freshman on November 9, 1991, against Kansas when he ran 27 times for 294 yards and six touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run.
• He played college football for Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning All-American honors in 1993. The Raiders selected him in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft.
• Jones had an estimated net worth of around $5 million at the time of his passing.