Honestly, it feels like the air was sucked right out of Omaha when the news broke. On January 22, 2025, the city lost one of its most electrifying figures. We’re talking about Calvin Jones, the man who basically redefined what it meant to be a powerhouse running back at Omaha Central and later at the University of Nebraska. He was only 54.
The details that emerged following the Calvin Jones obituary Omaha reports were nothing short of heartbreaking. This wasn't just a sports story; it was a human tragedy that hit far too close to home for the North Omaha community.
What Really Happened in North Omaha
When the Omaha Police Department arrived at a home near 38th and Franklin Streets on a Wednesday night, they were responding to a report of a gas odor. They found Calvin unresponsive in the basement. It’s a sequence of events that sounds like a nightmare.
You’ve probably heard the rumors, but the reality is that the furnace in the home wasn't working. To stay warm during a Nebraska winter, a generator was being used in the basement. While the official autopsy results are what everyone waits for, investigators and family friends like Jo Dusatko pointed toward carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s a silent, terrifying way to lose a legend.
His brother, Parris Jones, later shared that Calvin was on a good path, trying to make things better for himself. That’s the part that hurts the most. He wasn't just a name in a record book; he was a guy trying to navigate the complexities of life after the bright lights of the NFL faded.
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A Career That Set the Turf on Fire
If you grew up in Nebraska in the 90s, Calvin Jones was a superhero. No exaggeration. At Omaha Central High School, the guy was a force of nature. He didn't just run; he glided. He shattered Class A records, putting up 2,196 yards in a single season.
- Prep All-American status.
- Five gold medals in state track.
- A career total of 3,965 rushing yards in high school.
Then came the Huskers. He was part of the iconic "We-Backs" duo with Derek Brown. Think about that for a second. Nebraska had so much talent they had to share the backfield. In 1991, as a redshirt freshman, he absolutely destroyed Kansas, putting up 294 yards and six touchdowns. That touchdown record? Still stands today.
The NFL Years and That Super Bowl Ring
Calvin was a third-round pick for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994. He spent a couple of seasons with the Silver and Black, showing flashes of that Omaha speed. But the highlight for many was his 1996 stint. He landed with the Green Bay Packers.
He didn't have a massive stat sheet that year, but he was there. He was on the field for the NFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXI. When Brett Favre and the crew hoisted that trophy, Calvin Jones was a Super Bowl Champion. How many guys from North Omaha can say that? Not many.
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Remembering the Man, Not Just the Rushing Yards
The Calvin Jones obituary Omaha listings from Thomas Funeral Home paint a picture of a man deeply loved by a massive family. He leaves behind his parents, Ruth Ann and Clifford Jones, and a tribe of siblings and children, including his daughter Zantell and sons Calvin Jr. and Xavier.
Mrs. Marsha Nichols, a longtime family friend, remembered him singing in the 100-voice children’s choir at Salem Baptist Church. Imagine that—this bruising, record-breaking athlete started out as a kid in a choir robe under the watchful eye of his grandmother, Pauline Smith.
The Book He Never Finished
There’s a bittersweet layer to this story. Before he passed, Calvin was working with his former coach, Joe Reed, on a book. It was titled I Back High. It was supposed to be a deep dive into the glory days of Omaha Central football and the culture that produced such incredible talent. Coach Reed has since vowed to finish it. It’s a final piece of Calvin’s voice that we might still get to hear.
Why This Still Matters
It’s easy to look at a celebrity obituary and move on. But Calvin Jones’ story is a reminder of the fragility of the "legend" status. Here was a man who reached the pinnacle of his profession—a Super Bowl ring, a Hall of Fame induction in 2004—and yet, he faced the same raw, everyday struggles as anyone else.
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The community response was a testament to his impact. From the "Hurrdat Sports Radio" tributes to the GoFundMe set up by his sister Laketha to cover burial costs, Omaha rallied. They didn't just remember the 3,166 yards he ran at Nebraska; they remembered the guy who would stop by a friend's house just to check-in.
Final Services and Resting Place
The homegoing services were held at Salem Baptist Church on February 4, 2025. It was a packed house. Teammates, coaches, and fans who remembered his 8.3 yards-per-carry average in '91 showed up to say goodbye.
Key Takeaways for Fans and the Community:
- Carbon Monoxide Awareness: If there is any lesson from this tragedy, it is the lethal danger of using generators indoors. Always keep them at least 20 feet from the house.
- Supporting the Legacy: Look out for the release of I Back High. Supporting the projects Calvin left behind is the best way to keep his memory alive.
- Mental and Physical Health: The transition from professional sports is notoriously difficult. Community support for former athletes remains a critical, often overlooked need.
Calvin Jones wasn't just a name on a jersey. He was "The Man" in a city that breathes football. While his passing was a shock, the records he set and the lives he touched in North Omaha ensure that the name Calvin Jones won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Check local archives or the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame for upcoming memorials or scholarship funds established in his name to support the next generation of Omaha Central athletes.