RIP Johnny "Lam" Jones

Former Olympic gold medalist and NY Jet dies from cancer. Only 60 years old:

https://www.hookem.com/2019/03/15/f...n-johnny-lam-jones-passes-away-cancer-battle/

 

one of the great sports names of all time. just a perfect ring to it. Without the "Lam," he was just Johnny Jones.

Didn't realize he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Jets. Not a great pick, obviously, as he was at best a marginal contributor in his career.

BTW, I'm guessing "Lam" is short for Lampsas, his high school? When I was a kid -- before the Internet and the boom of ESPN -- I used to hear his name on Jets broadcasts and among fans and always think they were saying Johnny "Lamb" Jones.

RIP

 

I'm just a bit too young to remember him. When I saw the name, though, my first thought was that 'lam' was referring to ''on the lam', meaning he ran like he was on the lam. That's cool, if a little convoluted.

 

Some of you should remember Lam, Ham and Jam Jones:
https://www.hookem.com/2015/12/23/texas-goes-bowling-on-this-date-122378-sun-bowl/

 

And now the rest of the story ...

Texas had the triple-threat in terms of Johnny Jones — Ham, Lam and Jam. All three had the same name, but were unrelated.

Texas 42, Maryland 0 | Recaps - Hyundai Sun Bowl | December 31, 2019 | El Paso, Texas

EDIT: @Old Crank you bastard!