Packers Sign ‘The Mayor’ of Starkville

The Green Bay Packers rounded out their 90-man roster by signing former Mississippi State edge defender Kobe Jones.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
May 9, 2022 5:48 PM EDT

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers already employ the unofficial mayor of Door County, running back AJ Dillon.

Now, they employ the unofficial mayor of Starkville, Miss.

The Packers on Monday filled out their offseason roster by signing outside linebacker Kobe Jones, one of the 18 tryout players from last weekend’s rookie minicamp.

Jones started 11 games as a senior at Mississippi State in 2020 and recorded two sacks and four tackles among his 32 total tackles. He went undrafted last year and battled in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. He failed to make their roster, then spent two weeks on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in November.

After the season, he signed a futures deal with the Tennessee Titans but was released after the draft.

At Mississippi State, Jones twice was on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy. Named after former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the award is given annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Jones was a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration. Jones’ work off the field, in which he volunteered with the Starkville Cowboys little league football program as well as his alma mater, Starkville (Miss.) High School, earned him a spot on the SEC Community Service Team in 2020.

While at Mississippi State, Packers running back Kylin Hill set the wheels in motion for the state to pick a new flag free of Confederate symbolism. On Nov. 7, 2020, Jones became the first Mississippi State player to run onto the field with the new flag.

“That moment meant a lot for me,” Jones said at the time. “First off, it was a huge honor to be asked to carry the flag and I was just very proud to finally get to wave a flag that unites all Mississippians.”

It was a signature moment for Jones. His youth coached called Jones “The Blueprint.” Teammates and fans called him “The Mayor.”

Of his career at Mississippi State, his hometown school, Jones said. “My legacy here, in my community, at this university: I want to be a symbol of hope.” He added, “Don't think it's some far-fetched idea. Fifteen years ago, it was a far-fetched idea, and a dude from Starkville came up playing with the Starkville Cowboys and went Division I. It was just a dream then, and I want [kids] to know that it can happen for them too.”