Editor’s Note: Stan Jones, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Defensive Line Coach of the Denver Broncos for 18 years, passed away last Friday. He was 78 years old. Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Tuten wanted to share his thoughts on Jones.

Stan Jones is a big reason why I got into the field of strength and conditioning.

Stan signed me as a defensive lineman in 1979 with the Denver Broncos because I had made the first All-American Strength Team as a defensive lineman while playing at Clemson University. I was small for an NFL defensive lineman, but had developed most of my size and strength through the weight room.

He signed me as a free agent in 1979 and taught me some of the techniques and philosophies I still use in the strength and conditioning program for the Denver Broncos today.

As an example — he told me never to train the body to move slow! The body adapts to a training program very quickly, so if you want to move or run fast, then you must train that way.

I’m sure there are many players and people he touched throughout his life, and they are still using his teaching today. He loved to teach and coach, and he is a great loss to the NFL and to his family and friends.

Sincerely,
Rich Tuten, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Denver Broncos Football Club