FSU football: 15 greatest NFL careers ever by former Seminoles
By Joey Loose
FSU football greatest NFL career No. 3: Walter Jones
Walter Jones played at the community college level as a tight end and offensive line but really found his footing on the line at Florida State in the mid-1990s. A Second-Team All-American in 1996, Jones moved to the NFL a year early and didn’t regret that decision.
The Alabama native became the 6th pick of the 1997 NFL Draft and would spend his entire NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks. Jones would become Seattle’s starting left tackle early in his rookie season and would not relinquish that position for over a decade.
It could be easily argued that Jones was the best offensive lineman of the early 20th century. He was paramount in Seattle’s success under Mike Holmgren, who was hired before Jones’ third season in the NFL to lead the Seahawks.
Four seasons ended with Jones named First Team All-Pro while he made trips to the Pro Bowl in eight straight seasons, totaling nine bids overall. He was on Seattle’s line for ten playoff games, including their loss in Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jones was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, further proving his importance and worth on Seattle’s offensive line all those years. He effectively protected Matt Hasselbeck’s blindside during some outstanding years for the Seahawks and is undoubtedly the best offensive lineman in Florida State history.