Denver Broncos’ D.J. Jones Credits His Success To His Mother Carmella And His Father David, A Former Cowboys’ Executive Chef
By James Craig
Denver Broncos’ D.J. Jones Credits His Success To His Mother Carmella And His Father David, A Former Cowboys’ Executive Chef
April 19, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on April 18, 2026
With his father serving as an executive chef for top NFL teams and later opening his own barbeque restaurant, D.J. Jones grew up in a household with deep culinary and football roots.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones has recently garnered attention after the team officially re-signed him to a three-year deal worth approximately $13 million per season, solidifying his role in the team’s defense for the upcoming seasons.
Jones, who has been a key player for the Broncos, had a solid 2026 season with 42 tackles, one sack, a fumble recovery, and three pass deflections.
However, he has garnered attention not only for his on-field performances and the lucrative deal but also for his heartfelt acknowledgments of his parents, Carmella and David Jones, attributing his football successes to their unwavering support and influence.
Former DT DJ Jones has re-signed with the , per
Jones was linked as a potential target for the Niners
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners)
D.J. Is The Youngest Sibling Born To A Family Of Culinary And Football Roots
D.J. Jones was born on January 19, 1995, and raised in South Carolina, where his family played a pivotal role in shaping his character and ambitions.
His father, David “Big Dave” Jones, a 1980 North Carolina A&T graduate, is a renowned figure in the culinary world, especially known for his barbecue expertise.
In the 1990s, David served as the executive chef for the Dallas Cowboys, bringing his unique barbecue flavors to the team.
His culinary journey opened many doors for his family, including opportunities with the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons.
In 1997, he established his own restaurant, “,” which became a local favorite, reflecting his dedication and passion for Southern cuisine.
Big Dave said in an interview,
Selling barbecue is how I raised my family. It was just a dream come true. I had made the sauces first, and then I aspired to try my hand at a restaurant — which, we tried, and we’ve been doing it ever since
D.J.’s mother, Carmella Jones, has been a steadfast pillar in his life, providing emotional support and nurturing his aspirations from a young age.
While specific details about her professional endeavors are limited, her influence on D.J.’s upbringing is evident in his expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of her role in his journey.
DJ Jones is joined by his father, David “Big Dave” Jones (left), his wife, Kayla Fannin Jones, and his mother, Carmella Jones (right), during his signing with the Denver Broncos in 2026. (Source: )D.J. has three older sisters. In an interview from 2026, he said,
What they’ve [his family] done for me over the years is beyond my reach. I couldn’t repay them. There’s nothing I could do to repay them. All I can do is a be a great father to the child that I have on the way because of the way they treated me. I have three older sisters that deserve the world. … Pop’s crying. I love you. I love you. I love you, mom. I love you, daddy. I love you, Kayla, and the baby in your belly. It’s everything.
Despite Initial Reluctance, Jones Began Showcasing His Football Talents Early On
D.J. Jones attended Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina.
His impressive performance in high school set the stage for his successful college and professional career.
In an article, D.J.’s father, Big Dave, recalled,
I had three girls and a boy. You won’t believe this, but when I first took him out to the field, he was not feeling it. I got him out there a couple of times, and one day he hit the kid the right way, and it’s like the heavens opened up. He just began to enjoy going to practice all of a sudden.
[In high school], they were running some drills, and Coach Jeff Tate walks over to me and whispers in my ear, ‘That kid’s going to the NFL.’ I’ll never forget that.
After high school, D.J. Jones began his collegiate career at East Mississippi Community College, where he played for two seasons from 2013 to 2014.
During his time there, he helped lead the team to a perfect 24-0 record and two NJCAA national championships.
As a freshman, he played in 12 games and recorded 49 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, and 1 forced fumble.
In his sophomore year, he earned MACJC all-region and all-state honors, with 29 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, and 2 forced fumbles in 12 games.
After his successful stint at East Mississippi, Jones transferred to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
At Ole Miss, he played in 25 games, with 15 starts, and registered 70 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass deflection.
In his senior year, he started all 12 games and tallied 30 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The Jones family founded the DJ Jones Foundation in 2017, which aims to help inner-city youth through football camps, holiday meals, and gift and educational tool giveaways.
- Jones is an avid supporter of animal welfare and has been involved in various charitable activities to support animal shelters and rescue organizations.
- D.J. Jones got engaged to Kayla Fannin on October 7, 2019, before a Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns. They later married in 2026 and have since become parents to one daughter.
- Jones’ impressive performance in college set the stage for his professional career, leading to his selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
- In 2026, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos, with $20 million guaranteed, marking a significant milestone in his career.
- His recent contract extension has been met with a lot of buzz from the NFL community, as D.J. Jones is expected to continue being a cornerstone of the Denver Broncos’ defense.
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Manoj is passionate about both sports and technology, constantly exploring how the two fields intersect. With a strong interest in writing, he offers detailed analyses of sports events and technological innovations. As an avid user of different platforms, he tracks their development through thoughtful articles.
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