The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee just dropped an absolute bomb on Wednesday morning, announcing that former Tiger quarterback Bert Jones will have his iconic No. 7 jersey retired this season! This is happening when LSU hosts Texas on November 14 right there in Tiger Stadium. The committee didn't even hesitate, voting unanimously to make this legendary move.
A Legend Finally Gets His Due
If you're an LSU fan, you know Bert Jones. He was the *first-ever* All-American quarterback in program history! Let that sink in. We're talking about a player who absolutely defined an era between 1970 and 1972. This guy wasn't just good; he was a winner, plain and simple. Jones led the Tigers to an incredible 26-6-1 record as a starter, snagging three bowl wins and a massive 1970 SEC Championship title along the way. When he left LSU, he wasn't just a great player; he was *the* career leader in passing yards with 3,255, slinging 28 touchdown passes, racking up 418 attempts, and completing 220 passes. His 1972 season was something else, throwing for a then-program-record 1,446 yards and 14 touchdowns. He earned those All-American honors and even grabbed a fourth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting! After LSU, Jones became the No. 2 overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, tearing it up for 10 years in the pros and even winning NFL MVP in 1976. This dude was the real deal at every level.A Moment for the Ages
Jones himself was genuinely surprised, saying he had "no idea that there was anything in the works so this is totally unsuspecting." He knows what this means, too: "I have been the beneficiary of a lot of good things and received a lot of accolades and a lot of awards, but this is at the top of the list." Can you even imagine seeing your name and number hanging in Tiger Stadium, a place where your father, brother, and cousins all played? Jones called it "special," and what's even cooler, he'll be up there with his LSU roommate, Tommy Casanova. Bert Jones will become the fifth former Tiger to have his jersey retired, joining legends like Billy Cannon's No. 20, Tommy Casanova's No. 37, Jerry Stovall's No. 21, and Charles Alexander's No. 4. Here's a little tidbit though: only Cannon's No. 20 is fully retired and unavailable right now. So, it looks like No. 7 might still be up for grabs, but the honor itself is etched forever. November 14, when LSU hosts Texas, won't just be another game. It'll be a moment to celebrate one of the true OGs of LSU football, a legend whose legacy just got cemented for all time. Get ready to cheer, Tiger fans, because history is about to be made in the best way possible.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.