This Sunday, to kick off Super Bowl LX, Coco Jones will take the stage with her powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pregame ceremonies. And many fans are discovering a remarkable part of her family story. Her father is a former NFL standout who played in one of the league’s biggest games.

Mike Jones: NFL veteran and father

Coco Jones was born Courtney Michaela Ann Jones on January 4, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina, and grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee. She is the daughter of Mike Jones, a former professional football player who spent nearly a decade in the NFL.

Mike Jones was a linebacker and defensive end who played college football at North Carolina State University before being selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He went on to play in the league for nine seasons with multiple teams, including the Cardinals, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, and Tennessee Titans.

He won Super Bowl XXXIV as a member of the Rams team in 2000 and is still famous today for making “The Tackle” on Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line on the final play of the game, preventing a touchdown and securing the 23-16 victory for the Rams.

Coco has often spoken about the influence her parents had on her, and her father’s competitive spirit and discipline were central to her upbringing. Growing up in a household where both artistry and athleticism were valued, Coco was encouraged to pursue her passions from a young age. She began performing early, singing national anthems at local events, and her family was there to cheer her on every step of the way.

Her mother, Javonda Jones, is a session vocalist and has served as a mentor and manager in Coco’s artistic career, helping shepherd her transition from Disney Channel projects to breakout R&B success.

Mike’s influence also extended to athletics in the family. Coco’s brother Mike Jones Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, playing college football and later joining the Atlanta Falcons as a linebacker.

From the gridiron to the stage

Though Coco followed her own dream into music and acting, starring in Disney Channel’s “Let It Shine”, appearing on “Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing”, and most recently signing with Def Jam, the foundation she built with her father’s support remains a touchstone of her journey.

Now, as she performs on one of the biggest stages in entertainment at Super Bowl LX, she carries both her own hard-earned success and the legacy of a father who competed at the highest level of professional sport.

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