RIP Johnny "Lam" Jones

[gm]

https://www.hookem.com/2019/03/15/former-texas-star-olympian-johnny-lam-jones-passes-away-cancer-battle/

[DoubleRBar]

Very sorry to hear this news. Jones ran the second leg (just like Jackson Scholz did in 1920 (Antwerp) in the winning four by 100 relay in Montreal (1976). I can still see that race in my mind from Montreal. They didn't set a world record, but I believe it was the run by Jones that won that race for the United States.

[trackstar]

One of the best lines ever from T&FN correspondent Bret Bloomquist: "If you believe everyone who claims to have witnessed Lam Jones' legendary 4x400 anchor leg at the Texas high school state meet, then the capacity of Memorial Stadium was 375,000."

[trackstar]

For those of you from outside of Texas: I really cannot overstate what a huge moment that 4x4 was in Texas sports history. If you engage in conversation about high school sports here with anyone slightly older than me (I am 50), and especially if you tell them you are a track & field fan, the Lam Jones state meet relay leg WILL come up. Without fail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5p0XCce7bs&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3nYJyfWjqKZ0uVCjMdowecQp-YLbnogHxOxfVVhQGXxmUwaIg9lnCaJc8

[gh]

T&FN story on '76 state meet, in part: <<.... Lampasas had to win the race to take the team title, but after three legs it didn't seem quite possible, as Jones got the baton in 7th place 40y down. He knocked off two team around the first bend, went into overdrive down te backstraight, picking off teams along athe way. By the time Jones went into his highest gear off the final bend it was all over. His 45.5 leg was his fifth sub-46 carry of the year...>>

[wamego relays champ]

I'm sure there are some here who can recall the reason for his nickname.

[Pego]

I'm sure there are some here who can recall the reason for his nickname.

Texas had two Johnny Joneses, so one became Ham and one Lam. Why specifically Ham and Lam, I do not recall.

[gm]

I'm sure there are some here who can recall the reason for his nickname.

He was from Lampasas.

[tandfman]

He was from Lampasas.

And Ham Jones was from Hamlin.

[lonewolf]

This year will be 67th anniversary of my first Texas Relays and 41st consecutive as an official. Lam Jones' anchor leg is remembered at every meet by those who were among the 375,000 who witnessed it. Alas, my son last ran in Texas HS State meet in 1974 and I missed Jones' marvelous anchor.
I never knew Lam Jones but I have a business partner in Mesa who was a Lampasas HS and Univ Texas football teammate of Lam who brings it up every time we visit.

[gh]

And Ham Jones was from Hamlin.

was he related to the Pied Piper?

[Mr. Bowie]

Lam

Texas had two Johnny Joneses, so one became Ham and one Lam. Why specifically Ham and Lam, I do not recall.

If this is a joke, it's a good one.

If this isn't a joke then it is hysterical

[lonewolf]

It is for real, see post # 8 and 9

[wamego relays champ]

For two years the Texas Longhorn football offense had a third Jones, RB Anthony (A.J.) Jones, who was promptly nicknamed "Jam." Lam was a wide receiver, while Ham and Jam were running backs.

Jam Jones once said he does not no who gave him that nickname or why. His hometown was Youngstown, OH.

In the 1978 Sun Bowl the three went wild in a 42-0 win over Maryland. Jam (2TD) and Ham (1TD) each ran for over 100 yards, while Lam had both rushing and receiving TDs.

https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/24/archives/texas-rolls-in-sun-bowl-texas-victor-420-in-sun-bowl-contest.html

[DrJay]

Had to look it up, Lam was also 6th in the '76 100m final:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1976_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_100_metres