Dhani Jones Announces His Retirement

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 11, 2011 4:13 PM EDT

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 21: Dhani Jones visits FOX Business Network's Amercia's Nightly Scoreboard at FOX Studios on July 21, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

Former Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones has announced that he's calling it quits in the NFL on Tuesday during a good bye on video.

Jones was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 and started Super Bowl XXXIX. He then spent two months with the New Orleans Saints before the Cincinnati Bengals signed him on September 19, 2007.

Jones, the closest thing this team had as a defensive leader, was instrumental in helping rebuild the Bengals defense, often becoming a coach on the field, putting players into position in Mike Zimmer's defense when the defensive coordinator signed with the team in 2008.

During his time as the Cincinnati Bengals starting middle linebacker, Jones dominated as the team's primary tackler. Jones posted 163 tackles in 2008, over 50 tackles more than Brandon Johnson who ranked second on the team that year. In 2009 he posted 142 stops, 41 more than second place Keith Rivers and in 2010, Dhani claimed his third straight tackle title with 160 tackles, 65 more than second place Rivers.

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Smart player.

Wish we had a spot for him for one more year.

by D-Day77 on Oct 11, 2011 4:29 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Great guy.

He’ll have a great career in media.

by KSE on Oct 11, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

One classy dude

My guess is that the NFL networks are already chompin’ at the bit to get him onboard. Greatest of luck to ya, Dhani.

by crbuzz on Oct 11, 2011 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

Good Luck Dhani

WOW, only if you could come back and give some leadership and I bet Rey learned a lot from you

by Touhue Cha on Oct 11, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Best wishes to you, Dhani

What an asset he was, to Zimmer in implementing his scheme and mindset.

He was a true leader at MLB - not his natural position - and he was just what the Bengals needed at the point in time they picked him up.

Do you remember how dark those days were, in 2008, when linebackers were dropping like flies, when the wheels were coming off, and when team leadership seemed to disappear? That was when the team picked up Dhani, and Crocker, and Benson — right off the street. That was the beginning of the team that won the division in 2009.

I think it spoke volumes when Rey decided not to take # 57 “out of respect”. He was moving into Mike, but he wouldn’t think of taking Dhani’s number.

Thanks Dhani for what you brought to this team during your tenure.

by California Bengal Fan on Oct 11, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

I love Dhani.

Good luck to him and congratulations on a great career.

by sexsalad on Oct 11, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Not bad for a guy signed off the street......

then to further that into a career in television, the guy isn’t stupid. Good luck.

by The Van Buren Boys on Oct 11, 2011 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

i wish him luck. he brought a touch of class to the bengals during one of their darkest times (in terms of arrests and such)

by dqniel on Oct 11, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

class act

wish em luck

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Oct 11, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

An interesting guy. I hope he does well, and expect he will.

But lose the bow tie,

by no kidding on Oct 11, 2011 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

But the bow tie is a signature

I personally believe that the bow tie should get equal time with the tie, yet this has not happened.

Flying is as simple as throwing yourself at the ground and missing

by bill schwab on Oct 11, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

it did. But that was when moxie was the bee's knees.

Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

by UpStateMike on Oct 12, 2011 4:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Godspeed, Dhani

"Suck for Luck"? Forget that
2010 was "Schemin’ for Green and Faultin’ for Dalton."

by supergrover on Oct 11, 2011 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

great player

by the way love AJ Green

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider

by j-man on Oct 11, 2011 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you Dhani

Excellent player, and all around good guy. He would be someone I’d like to hang out with.

Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

by UpStateMike on Oct 12, 2011 4:04 AM EDT reply actions

A giant thanks to Dhani.

Not the most physically gifted superstar linebacker you could ask for, but he came in at the same time as Zimmer and was probably just about as instrumental in installing the new defense. I know Rey has said in the last couple days the same, but obviously Dhani was the vet who taught these kids how to be a pro in Zim’s defense. I hope he comes back to the game in a coaching capacity, but I’ll understand if he doesn’t because of all his varied interests. Great guy. Glad he was part of this organization for a while.

by eric nyc on Oct 13, 2011 12:57 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks Dhani

He wasn’t flashy on the field but he was a steady, tackling machine which is what you need at MLB. He helped these young guys at a time when it was really needed. His show on the travel channel is really good and I think his career in television is only beginning. Its a shame in one sense b/c he would make a fantastic coach but he has a long career ahead of him in TV.

Good Luck Dhani!

by WOOD98 on Oct 13, 2011 5:31 AM EDT reply actions