John Jones (American Football Executive)

John Jones (American Football Executive)

John Jones was born on February 6, 1952 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of the Green Bay Packers, an NFL franchise. He was to assume the titles of President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2007, replacing a retiring Bob Harlan.

On May 26, 2007 the Packers announced that John Jones would be taking an indefinite "leave of absence" only days before Jones was scheduled to succeed Harlan as new CEO of the organization. Health concerns were the major reason sited for Jones' departure. In late July 2007, the Packers and Jones officially cut ties and on December 3, 2007, the Green Bay Packers announced Mark H. Murphy as its new President and CEO.

In January 2009, Jones openly discussed his medical situation. In June 2006, Jones underwent a heart surgery operation to correct a dissected aorta, a procedure he was told later that only 10 percent of patients survive. He suffered a stroke during the surgery that continues to affect his short-term memory and his physical stamina, which ultimately caused him to leave the team.

Following his personal medical triumph, Jones' recent mission has been raising awareness about men's healthcare. His presentation "Bulletproof: The Men's Healthcare Myth" encourages men to see their physcians regularly. "Ladies get their checkups, but men are the exact opposite. They take better care of their car than their bodies.”