NEW YORK JETS, FLORIDA STATE LEGEND MARVIN JONES APPOINTED TO ADVISORY BOARD OF FOUR-TIME CHAMPION SOCAL COYOTES

(INDIO) – Legendary New York Jets and Florida State University Hall of Fame linebacker Marvin Jones, whose community outreach initiatives made him an NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist, was appointed today to the advisory board of the four-time champion SoCal Coyotes non-profit sports leadership organization, headquartered in the Coachella Valley.

 “I am dedicated in my support and motivation of all youth toward success,” said Jones. “I’m very excited to play a defining role as the Coyote organization continues to set standards for engaging youth in positive experiences, through academics, community involvement, and of course, football.”

Jones takes his seat on the formidable advisory board of America’s #1 Developmental Pro Football Program, alongside all-century USC lineman Brad Budde of Kansas City Chiefs fame, and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, of the Miami Dolphins.

The appointment of Jones directs a national spotlight toward the expanding footprint of the Coyotes, a California non-profit organization. Now in its fourth year of operation, the ‘Coyote Model’ of “Building Champions, Building Men” has become the nation’s leading prototype for developmental football.

A stunning combination of strength, speed and instinct made Jones one of the finest linebackers in the history of college football. The three-time All-American and Heisman candidate became the first Florida State University player to capture two national awards in the same year when he earned both the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman.

Jones became the highest pick of any Florida State player in history when the New York Jets selected him fourth overall in the first round in the 1993 National Football League draft. He played 11 seasons with the Jets, starting all 80 games of his last five seasons. His 1,200 tackles (811 solo) are third all-time, and he posted eight consecutive 100-tackle seasons.  Jones won multiple Most Valuable Player awards, and was a first-team All-Pro.

Most recently, Jones was inducted into the Florida State University Hall of Fame and selected to the ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team. Previously, he was the New York Jets team selection and finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Unique among NFL honors, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is the only one that recognizes a player for his community service activities, as well as excellence on the field.

THE SOCAL COYOTES are a national, faith, family and football organization dedicated to restoring hope in personal lives, families and communities. With priority on faith, fatherhood and family values, the Coyotes have been recognized for “Building Champions by Building Men.” Visit www.thesocalcoyotes.com,and learn why the Coyotes were named ‘America’s #1 Developmental Football Program’ by The Football Educator, operated by former Denver Broncos GM and two-time Super Bowl winner Ted Sundquist, by clicking on ‘What We Do.’

ON THE FIELD, 70 PLAYERS EACH YEAR earn the distinction of ‘Defending the Shield’ in the uniform of the SoCal Coyotes. Many will earn a shot with NFL, CFL or AFL opportunities, or graduate into business careers. Off the field, more than 30,000 Coachella Valley youth annually participate in Coyote Leadership Training and receive published Coyote Leadership Curriculum.

ALL COYOTE MENTORS SHARE these key qualities – Ability and willingness to communicate what they know; Preparedness; Approachability; Availability; Ability to listen; Honesty with diplomacy;  Inquisitiveness; Objectivity and fairness; and Compassion and genuineness.

THE SOCAL COYOTES affect every community they touch. Coyote programs reach thousands of youth through coordinated efforts with numerous local charitable and civic organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, the Desert Strength Academy, the Boys & Girl Scouts of America, and Rotary International.

To learn more, contact Ron DiGrandi, SVP Business Development, at [email protected].