Former Southeast Missouri State football player notches first TD in NFL

Former Southeast Missouri State football player Edgar Jones has been a solid contributor this year during his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

But Jones, a reserve linebacker and key special teams performer in his sixth NFL campaign, got an unexpected surprise Sunday.

Jones scored his first NFL touchdown on an unusual play in the fourth quarter. It was the Chiefs' lone TD during their 38-10 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The play began when the Bucs were punting. A Kansas City player blocked the kick, and Bucs punter Michael Koenen recovered the ball in the end zone.

Koenen tried to throw the ball. It went to Jones at the 11-yard line and he ran it across the goal line.

Jones officially was credited with an 11-yard fumble return. The play was ruled a fumble recovery because a player cannot pass a blocked punt.

"I kind of wondered about that, if you could throw an interception like that," Jones told the Kansas City Star. "I was surprised, because once I saw him pick the ball up in the end zone, he looked like he was running the ball; and then he looked at me, and just threw it. I was like, ‘I'll take it.'

"We had a play earlier in the game where we gave up a [deflected] punt, so special teams were trying to come back and make a play."

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said Monday that he was excited for Jones, who completed his eligibility at Southeast in 2006 during Samuel's first season with the Redhawks.

"I'm real happy for Edgar. He's a great kid, and he's worked very hard," Samuel said.

Jones has nine tackles and two fumble recoveries this season. His career high in tackles is 10 for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.

Jones, an All-American defensive end at Southeast, spent the past five years with the Ravens after originally making the team as an undrafted free agent. He never has started an NFL game.

Jones is among four former Southeast players currently in the NFL, more than any other Ohio Valley Conference program.

New England offensive lineman Dan Connolly, in his seventh NFL season, is in his third year as an offensive line starter for the Patriots. He has performed at multiple line positions and is currently playing right guard.

Dimitri Patterson, also a former Southeast All-American, has started four games this season at cornerback for the Cleveland Browns.

Patterson, who has played for several teams since joining the NFL in 2005, is fourth on the Browns with 25 tackles. He has also been credited with five passes defended.

Offensive lineman Eugene Amano, another former Southeast All-American, will miss the entire season on injured reserve after suffering a torn triceps muscle during training camp.

Amano was a starter for the Tennessee Titans the past four years and figures to regain that role in 2013. He has played eight NFL seasons after being drafted by the Titans in the seventh and final round.

Connolly and Patterson, like Jones, originally made the NFL as undrafted free agents.