Former New York Giants wide receiver Homer Jones, the first player to spike the football after a touchdown, died Wednesday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 82.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Lacarroll Jones Nickelberry, to KLTV in Pittsburg, Texas, where he was born and was living at the time of his death. KLTV reported that Jones is survived by six children.
The big play wideout is still the NFL's all-time leader with a career average of 22.3 yards per catch.
Jones caught 224 passes for 4,986 yards and 36 touchdowns in 87 games (59 starts) with the Giants (1964-69) and Cleveland Browns (1970).