By WFAN.com
Johnny "Lam" Jones, the world-class sprinter whom the Jets drafted second overall in 1980, has died following a decadeslong battle with cancer, according to multiple reports. He was 60.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that Jones died Friday morning at a hospital in Round Rock, Texas.
The Jets traded up in 1980 to draft Jones, sending two first-round picks to the San Francisco 49ers for the chance to select the wide receiver, but he fell short of the lofty expectations set for him in the NFL. Jones spent seven seasons with the Jets but was injured for the final two. For his career, he caught 138 passes for 2,322 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best season came in 1983, when he had 43 receptions for 734 yards and four TDs.
In 1987, Jones was traded to the 49ers but released in the preseason. He spent part of the '87 season with the Dallas Cowboys, but never played in a game due to injury.
MORE: Jets Bring Back Kicker Chandler Catanzaro
Before playing in the NFL, Jones, who attended the University of Texas, was a track star and won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in the 4x100 meter relay. He was just 18 at the time.
Jones battled alchohol and drug addiction during his football career, which was blamed for his 1988 arrest and guilty plea in connection with a sex act with a 12-year-old girl at his stepsiter's sleepover. He was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
Sober for the last three decades of his life, Jones dedicated his days to helping others avoid making the same mistakes he did.
He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which attacks blood, plasma and bone marrow.
