If you’ve spent any time flipping through cable news on a Saturday evening, you’ve likely seen him. He’s the guy with the wide smile, the Georgia drawl, and the metal legs resting casually in front of his chair.
Fox News Joey Jones—or Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny "Joey" Jones, if you're being formal—has become a fixture of American living rooms. But calling him just another "pundit" feels wrong. Honestly, it misses the point of why people actually tune in to see him.
He isn't just reading a teleprompter. He’s living a second life that almost didn't happen.
The Day That Changed Everything in Helmand Province
War isn't like the movies. There’s no dramatic music before the blast. On August 6, 2010, Joey Jones was a bomb technician in Afghanistan. He’d already rendered safe or destroyed nearly 80 IEDs during that deployment. He was good at his job.
Then came the one he didn't see.
In an instant, both of his legs were gone above the knee. His right forearm and both wrists were shattered. He didn't lose consciousness immediately. Instead, he found himself asking the medics to pray for him and his family.
That "Alive Day"—the anniversary of the day he cheated death—isn't a somber occasion for him. It's a celebration. He recently hosted a special on Fox Nation called Alive Day: The Reunion, where he sat down with the EOD unit that saved his life. It’s raw. It’s uncomfortable at times. But it explains why he approaches the news desk with a perspective most of his colleagues simply can’t replicate.
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Rising Through the Ranks at Fox News
Joey didn't start at the top. He joined the network as a contributor in 2019, mostly providing military analysis. You'd see him for three minutes during a segment on veterans' affairs or Middle East policy.
Things changed fast.
By late 2025, the network realized they had more than just a military expert; they had a personality people liked. He was named a permanent co-host of The Big Weekend Show. Now, he anchors a three-hour block on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 PM to 8 PM ET alongside Tomi Lahren and a rotating cast.
He’s also the guy they call when they need a fill-in for the heavy hitters. You’ll see him sitting in the "hot seat" on The Five or cracking jokes with Greg Gutfeld on Gutfeld!.
Why viewers connect with him:
- He grew up in Dalton, Georgia, the son of a brick mason.
- He doesn't sound like he’s from the "D.C. bubble."
- He talks about hunting and fishing as much as he talks about policy.
- He’s open about his recovery at Walter Reed.
Basically, he’s a "regular guy" who happened to survive a bomb and ended up on TV.
More Than Just a Talking Head: The Author and Advocate
If you think Fox News Joey Jones spends all his time in a makeup chair, you’re mistaken. He lives on a small farm near Calhoun, Georgia. He’s a woodworker. He’s a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan.
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He’s also a New York Times bestselling author.
His first book, Unbroken Bonds of Battle, hit the shelves in 2023. It wasn't just a memoir; it was a tribute to ten other heroes who helped him through his darkest days. Then, in June 2025, he released Behind the Badge: Answering the Call to Serve on America’s Homefront. This one took a hard look at first responders—firefighters and police officers who face a different kind of "war" every day.
He stays busy.
Joey serves on the board of the Boot Campaign, a non-profit that handles health and wellness for veterans. He also spent time as a senior advisor for Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground. He isn't just talking about veterans on TV; he's actively working on the transition programs that help them find a life after the uniform.
The "Fox Nation Outdoors" Factor
One of the more unique things about his career is Fox Nation Outdoors. It was the first hunting show on a major cable news-affiliated platform.
It’s not just about the trophy or the kill. Joey uses the show to take veterans and first responders on retreats. They talk. They hunt. They heal. It’s a side of news media you don't see often—one that prioritizes conservation and mental health over political point-scoring.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Him
Some critics want to put him in a box. Because he’s on Fox News, they assume he’s just a partisan mouthpiece.
But if you actually listen to him, especially when the cameras are off or on his more long-form specials, there’s a nuance there. He’s worked with both the Obama and Bush administrations. He’s spent a year as a fellow on Capitol Hill with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
He knows how the sausage is made.
He often talks about "Perspective"—the idea that while we can't control what happens to us (like losing legs in a desert), we can absolutely control how we respond. That isn't a political talking point. That’s a life philosophy forged in a hospital bed at Walter Reed.
Practical Steps for Following His Work
If you want to keep up with what Joey is doing without getting lost in the 24-hour news cycle, here is the best way to do it:
- Watch the Weekend Block: Catch him on The Big Weekend Show from 5 PM to 8 PM ET on Saturdays and Sundays. This is where he has the most room to actually discuss topics in depth.
- Check out Fox Nation: Look for Alive Day: The Reunion and Fox Nation Outdoors. These are much more personal than his daily news hits.
- Read the Books: If you want the real story of his recovery and his thoughts on American service, Unbroken Bonds of Battle is the place to start.
- Follow the Advocate: Keep an eye on the Boot Campaign. If you’re a veteran looking for resources or someone wanting to support the cause, that’s where Joey puts his actual "work" hours.
Joey Jones represents a shift in how we consume news. We’re moving away from the "voice of God" anchors and toward people who have skin in the game. Literally. Whether you agree with his politics or not, it’s hard to argue with a man who has quite literally stood his ground for his country.