He is only the second person in history to hold the position.
But this season, Freddie Jones Jr. is stepping away from his role as the official trumpet player for the Dallas Cowboys.
“The idea for the trumpet player is that I played, but I gave you a speech,” Jones said.
Jones said he started playing trumpet around the age of 12 and has never been a second-chair player.
“I played trumpet my first year of school when I was a kid. I haven’t played second trumpet in my life,” Jones said.
He’s earned a following around the world, but fans in North Texas may know him best for his pregame performances with the Dallas Cowboys.
For more than a decade, Jones played the national anthem before every home game.
It’s a gig he almost didn’t get.
During tryouts, he said he forgot his mouthpiece in his car. A friend who was also trying out loaned him one.
Thirteen years later, this month, the team announced Jones has retired.
“It was time,” Jones said.
He said he plans to spend more time with his family and will continue writing music and teaching the trumpet.
“I think the things I did off the stage were better than I did on the stage,” Jones said.
A member of the U.S. military will play the national anthem moving forward, still by trumpet.
Jones is expected to be honored at the Cowboys’ first home game on Sept. 14.