For Russell Jones, recess at Mustang Elementary is where it all started.
Whether it was football, baseball, soccer, or any number of activities he and his classmates would take part in after eating lunch, the blacktop is where Jones’ love for sports blossomed. As well as many friendships with future teammates.
“That’s where I spent a lot of time with those guys,” Jones said. “We were tight, like a brotherhood from the start. That time really solidified the start of our friendships.
“Being a K through 12 kid from Mustang, I just can’t help reflecting over that time lately. That was true comradery.”
Russell Jones was inducted into the Mustang Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month as part of the 2024 class. Jones was a feared defensive back in football and a star hitter on the baseball field. (Photo provided)
Jones was inducted into the Mustang Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month thanks to his abilities and leadership on the gridiron and baseball diamond. During his speech he thanked family, friends, teammates, and coaches for helping shape his path in both sports.
And when he received the news that he would be one of five members of the 2024 class, it was a special moment with his wife and two sons.
“I was overwhelmed,” he said. “We sat down for dinner, and they had made me a card and gave me the news. It was very special, hearing it from the people who truly mean the most to me.”
Jones, a 1990 Mustang High School graduate, is one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. He was a three-year varsity starter in both football and baseball, eventually playing football in college at the University of Oklahoma.
Russell Jones (10) prepares to take the field at Bronco Stadium with his fellow team captains. (Photo provided)
He was described as one of the most feared defensive backs in high school, leading the state with nine interceptions while amassing 122 total tackles as a senior. He also returned two punts for touchdowns, including one for 70 yards. Jones earned All-State and Big All-City honors and was the first player in program history to be named to The Oklahoman’s ‘Blue Chip List.’
“Certainly, the years that I coached football at Mustang High School, Russell stood out as one of the most outstanding athletes and one of the most enjoyable athletes I was able to coach,” former MHS coach Randall Lokey said prior to Jones’ induction.
“He kind of spoiled me as a coach. Sometimes I thought that maybe the scheme or what we were running was causing things to happen. But when I went back and looked at it, it was Russell making plays and that was what was causing things to happen.”
Jones was quick to counter Lokey’s argument, praising his coaches and teammates that helped him become such a great player.
Russell Jones was inducted into the Mustang Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month as part of the 2024 class. Jones was a feared defensive back in football and a star hitter on the baseball field. (Photo provided)
“We had such a good class,” Jones said. “Ronnie Reed, Mike Meadows, David Owens, Scott Boyd, Mike Child. Being two or three years younger than some of those guys, I knew I had to elevate my game. There are so many others, including my position coach and mentor, coach (Randall) Lokey. And coach Charles Carpenter. All of them were just great men and really mean a lot to me still today.”
Greg Oliver, a friend, former teammate, and current MHS assistant athletics director pointed to one of his favorite moments while playing with Jones.
When the Broncos arrived at Moore High School to take on the Lions during their senior season, they found photos of themselves inside the urinals in the visiting team’s locker room. That didn’t sit well with Jones.
“Russell took it out on them that game,” Oliver said. “We ended up scoring a bunch of points and toward the end of the game, we scored one more touchdown. I snapped the ball to Russell, who was the holder on extra points, and he yelled the code word fire, which meant we weren’t going to kick it, but were going to either throw or run for two.
Russell Jones was featured on the front page of The Oklahoman sports section after scoring a touchdown in a 1991 Gator Bowl win over Virginia. (Photo provided)
“Russell took the ball, alluded two defenders and got it into the endzone. As I was coming off the field, I said ‘Jones, I put that snap right on you.’ He looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes and said, ‘Oliver, good snap, but nobody is going to piss on us.’”
Jones’ success in baseball was equal to his prowess on the gridiron.
During his senior year, he led Class 5A with a .521 batting average and 12 home runs and was second in the class with 48 RBI. He earned All-State, Big All-City, and Sunbelt Classic honors.
“I loved baseball, especially practicing with some of the best friends and teammates I ever had,” Jones said. “Scott Boyd and Scott Owen were some great mentors of mine when I was a sophomore. I loved playing for coach (Walter) Ryan, another great person and great mentor in my life.”
Russell Jones was inducted into the Mustang Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month as part of the 2024 class. Jones was a feared defensive back in football and a star hitter on the baseball field. (Photo provided)
Ryan praised his former player for not just his ability, but also his leadership.
“He was a great leader,” Ryan said via video during Jones’ induction. “And why was he a great leader? Because he had great work ethic. When he stepped out on that football field and that baseball field, he had one thing in mind and that was to develop himself as a player. And he certainly did that.
“I’ll never forget talking with coach Lokey and saying, ‘You know, Russell could play any position on this field.’ And Lokey responded, saying ‘Yea, but if that defensive lineman makes a mistake, it’s a five-yard gain. If a linebacker makes a mistake, it’s a 10-15-yard gain. If that defensive back makes a mistake, it’s a touchdown.’ So Russell became a defensive back.”
Jones eventually moved on to the University of Oklahoma where he roomed with former OU quarterback and coach Cale Gundy.
Russell Jones poses for a photo with his wife and two sons. Jones was recently inducted into the Mustang Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class. (Photo provided)
Jones pulled down his first interception at Owen Field during his first game as a redshirt freshman and also scored a touchdown after a blocked punt in a 48-14 win over Virginia University in the 1991 Gator Bowl.
“That first game after redshirting was a thrill,” Jones said. “You could be there 1,000 times in the stands, but being on the field was just a different level of intensity. I had goosebumps just being out there. And then the first series I got in and made that interception, I just remember how loud the crowd was. It was so exhilarating.”
Gundy remembers those days well and his relationship with Jones, dating back to high school game days on both the football and baseball field.
“He was great at baseball and football, he was a great golfer, he was a great basketball player, he was a great beach volleyball player,” Gundy said. “He was just one of those guys that could do anything.
“He and I were best friends and developed a great relationship through high school and college. We really hit it off because we were very similar in a lot of ways. We were heavily involved in athletics and loved our teammates and loved to compete.”
Jones’ pride in being a Mustang Bronco is second to none. He loves his family, former teammates, coaches, and of course his hometown.
“It’s my alma mater and I have a lot of pride in that,” Jones said. “I’m extremely humbled to be inducted into my school’s Hall of Fame with the likes of Darren Cox, Kendall Cross, and everyone who has been so deserving of this honor, including the people going in with me.
“This town is full of people who respect you and get to know you and know what it’s like to live and grow up in a place like this. I’m thankful for my wife and sons and for the Mustang administration for everything.
“It’s great to be a Bronco.”
