Kitwana Jones
Encyclopedia
Kitwana Shaloyd Jones is a Canadian football
defensive end
for the Montreal Alouettes
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL). He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Jones has also played professionally for the Edmonton Eskimos
. He played college football
at the University of North Carolina
and Hampton University
.
career at the University of North Carolina
(UNC), where he saw playing time as a true freshman in 2000. He played mainly on special teams at North Carolina. He also spent time practicing as a fullback
. Jones left the UNC football program for disciplinary reasons and then joined Hampton University
for his final two seasons of college football. While at Hampton, Jones started 19 games, including 11 in his senior season. After his 2003 season, Jones was named All-Conference (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
) and Division I-AA All-America.
(CFL) when he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
in March, 2005. He made his debut with the club in Week 10 of the 2005 CFL season
. He finished his rookie CFL season with 15 tackles (11 on special teams) and one quarterback sack. Jones played on defense and special teams for the Roughriders in 2006
, finishing the season with 31 tackles and eight quarterback sacks. During the 2006 season, Jones twice recorded two sacks in a game. The Roughriders captured the 2007 Grey Cup, with Jones playing defensive end
and linebacker as well playing on special teams. During the Western Final, Jones had two fumble recoveries. Jones played defensive end full time for the Roughriders in the 2008 season
and led the team in sacks with five.
Prior to the 2009 season
, Jones was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos
in return for quarterback Juan Joseph
. Jones played in nine games for the Eskimos before being released. After his release, he had offers to join the Roughriders or the Montreal Alouettes
, and Jones elected to sign back with the Roughriders. Roughriders director of player personnel Joe Womack admitted that trading Jones had been a mistake: "Eric (Tillman, Saskatchewan's GM) and myself and Ken (Miller, the Roughriders' head coach)
admittedly probably made a mistake -- and that's OK to admit that; teams do it all the time." Joseph, the player the Roughriders received in exchange for Jones was released by the club after training camp. Jones finished the 2009 season with 14 tackles.
Heading into the 2010 season
, Jones was not mentioned among the top contenders on the Roughriders to replace departing defensive linemen John Chick
and Stevie Baggs
, which suited him fine, "I’m always the undersized guy at my position. There are things that I have to do to remain a Roughrider but I know that I’m in a fight. Then again, I’m always fighting." Jones also sees significant playing time on special teams, where he is considered by some to be among the CFL's best.
On Mar 13, 2011, Jones signed with the Montreal Alouettes
.
, North Carolina
, where he was one of ten children. He attended Emsley A. Laney High School
, the alma mater
of Michael Jordan
. Jones also spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy
. He has one son, Tyleke, whom he fathered when he was 14. Jones spends time in the off-season mentoring troubled youth in his home town of Wilmington, and spends time during the season with young fans who have special needs.
While Jones was with the Eskimos, he acquired the nickname
'Batman' after an incident in which he chased down and apprehended a mugger who had stolen a woman's purse. Jones said of the incident, "God just put me in a good place where I could help someone. He knows what kind of heart I have."
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL). He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Jones has also played professionally for the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
and Hampton University
Hampton Pirates football
The Hampton Pirates are the college football team representing the Hampton University. The Pirates play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.-National championships:*1922*1994*2004*2005*2006...
.
College football
Jones started his college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
career at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
(UNC), where he saw playing time as a true freshman in 2000. He played mainly on special teams at North Carolina. He also spent time practicing as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
. Jones left the UNC football program for disciplinary reasons and then joined Hampton University
Hampton University
Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:...
for his final two seasons of college football. While at Hampton, Jones started 19 games, including 11 in his senior season. After his 2003 season, Jones was named All-Conference (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
) and Division I-AA All-America.
Professional football
Jones started his professional career in the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) when he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
in March, 2005. He made his debut with the club in Week 10 of the 2005 CFL season
2005 CFL season
The 2005 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2005:...
. He finished his rookie CFL season with 15 tackles (11 on special teams) and one quarterback sack. Jones played on defense and special teams for the Roughriders in 2006
2006 CFL season
-2006 Rogers CFL Awards:* CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Geroy Simon , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions* CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Brent Johnson , BC Lions...
, finishing the season with 31 tackles and eight quarterback sacks. During the 2006 season, Jones twice recorded two sacks in a game. The Roughriders captured the 2007 Grey Cup, with Jones playing defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
and linebacker as well playing on special teams. During the Western Final, Jones had two fumble recoveries. Jones played defensive end full time for the Roughriders in the 2008 season
2008 CFL season
The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL...
and led the team in sacks with five.
Prior to the 2009 season
2009 CFL season
The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders...
, Jones was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
in return for quarterback Juan Joseph
Juan Joseph
Juan Joseph is a former professional Arena football quarterback who has also played American and Canadian football. He last played for the Lafayette Wildcatters of the SIFL. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
. Jones played in nine games for the Eskimos before being released. After his release, he had offers to join the Roughriders or the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
, and Jones elected to sign back with the Roughriders. Roughriders director of player personnel Joe Womack admitted that trading Jones had been a mistake: "Eric (Tillman, Saskatchewan's GM) and myself and Ken (Miller, the Roughriders' head coach)
Ken Miller (football coach)
Ken Miller is the Head Coach and Vice President of Football Operations for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He served as the Roughriders head coach between 2008 and 2010, leading the team to appearances in the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010...
admittedly probably made a mistake -- and that's OK to admit that; teams do it all the time." Joseph, the player the Roughriders received in exchange for Jones was released by the club after training camp. Jones finished the 2009 season with 14 tackles.
Heading into the 2010 season
2010 CFL season
The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28...
, Jones was not mentioned among the top contenders on the Roughriders to replace departing defensive linemen John Chick
John Chick
John Chick is a gridiron football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Utah State. He spent 2008-2009 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders...
and Stevie Baggs
Stevie Baggs
Stevie Baggs is a defensive end for the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was signed to the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL for the 2010 season, however was cut before the team finalized its 53-man roster limit. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
, which suited him fine, "I’m always the undersized guy at my position. There are things that I have to do to remain a Roughrider but I know that I’m in a fight. Then again, I’m always fighting." Jones also sees significant playing time on special teams, where he is considered by some to be among the CFL's best.
On Mar 13, 2011, Jones signed with the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
.
Personal
Jones grew up in WilmingtonWilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, where he was one of ten children. He attended Emsley A. Laney High School
Emsley A. Laney High School
Emsley A. Laney High School is a high school in Wilmington, North Carolina, named in honor of a distinguished local businessman who served on the New Hanover County Board of Education 1941-1973....
, the alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
. Jones also spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Military Academy is a private, military boarding school located in the town of Fork Union, Virginia. The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA ....
. He has one son, Tyleke, whom he fathered when he was 14. Jones spends time in the off-season mentoring troubled youth in his home town of Wilmington, and spends time during the season with young fans who have special needs.
While Jones was with the Eskimos, he acquired the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
'Batman' after an incident in which he chased down and apprehended a mugger who had stolen a woman's purse. Jones said of the incident, "God just put me in a good place where I could help someone. He knows what kind of heart I have."