Jerry Jones, proprietor of the Dallas Cowboys, discloses his difficult encounter with skin cancer
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Shares His Battle with Melanoma Cancer
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has shared his journey with melanoma skin cancer, which began in June 2010 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. Here is a summary of his experience and current status:
Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
- Diagnosis: Jerry Jones was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma in June 2010.
- Initial Treatment: He began treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston soon after the diagnosis.
Surgical Interventions
- Surgical Procedures: Over the following decade, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries as part of his treatment.
Experimental Therapy
- PD-1 Immunotherapy: Jones participated in an experimental trial for PD-1 immunotherapy, which he credits with saving his life. PD-1 therapy works by blocking a protein that acts as an "off switch" for immune cells, allowing them to attack cancer cells more effectively.
Current Status
- Outcome: Jerry Jones reports that he currently has no tumors, thanks to the successful treatment with PD-1 therapy.
- Improvement in Survival Rates: The treatment he received has contributed to improved survival rates for Stage 4 melanoma, which have increased from about 35% to around 50% in recent years.
Jerry Jones, now 82, remains involved in his role as the president and general manager of the Cowboys, attributing his recovery to the experimental treatment and his passion for life.
Other Notable Events
- National Anthem: Jerry Jones stood for the national anthem at training camp opening ceremonies at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard, California, on July 26, 2025.
- Interview: Jones discussed his cancer treatments in an interview with the Dallas Morning News.
- Netflix Docuseries: Jones mentioned his cancer treatments in one of the episodes of the Netflix docuseries "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys."
It is important to note that melanoma is a less common but more dangerous form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. The Melanoma Research Alliance states that stage 4 melanoma has metastasized to other parts of the body, such as the brain, lungs, liver, or gastrointestinal tract.
Ryan Gaydos, a senior editor for our website Digital, and Khloe Quill contributed to this report.
According to the website Sportico, the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable team in the NFL, with a valuation of $12.8 billion as of 2025.
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- Despite being diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma in 2010, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has no current tumors, thanks to the successful use of PD-1 immunotherapy.
- Jerry Jones's recovery from melanoma skin cancer has been attributed to his experimental treatment and his passion for life, allowing him to remain involved in his role as the president and general manager of the Cowboys.
- During his battle with melanoma, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries, in addition to participating in an experimental trial for PD-1 immunotherapy.
- The improved survival rates for Stage 4 melanoma, which stand around 50% today, have been partly attributed to the treatment received by Jerry Jones and others like him.
- Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer that can spread to other organs if not treated early, is less common but significantly more deadly compared to other types of skin cancer.
