Jess Phillips graduated from Charlton-Pollard High School and played the position of safety for Michigan State University. He participated in the historic 10–10 tie between undefeated Michigan State and undefeated Notre Dame.

 

During his senior season, he forged a check and was sentenced to 18 months at the penitentiary in Jackson, Michigan. He was paroled after four months and later credited his time in prison with teaching him valuable life lessons, though he believed it had ended his chances of being drafted into professional football.

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However, the expansion Cincinnati Bengals and coach Paul Brown were willing to take a chance on Phillips. He was selected as a defensive back in the fourth round (84th overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the then-AFL Bengals. Upon his release from prison on August 2, 1968, he was met by Paul Brown’s son, Mike Brown, who took him directly to the Bengals’ training camp in Wilmington, Ohio, where he was installed as a defensive back. Paul Brown described Phillips as “a kid with an engaging personality who has it all in front of him.”

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In his rookie season (1968) — the Bengals’ inaugural year — Phillips played strong safety. In 1969, he was switched to fullback and excelled, recording 118 carries for 578 yards (a 4.9-yard average) and three touchdowns, including a career-long 83-yard run. He also caught 13 passes for 128 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per catch.

In his third season, Phillips started all 14 games and improved his totals to 163 carries for 648 yards (a 4.0 average) and four touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown. In 1971, he started 10 of 14 games, recording 94 carries for 420 yards (a 4.5 average) and 22 receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown.

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Phillips joined the New Orleans Saints for the 1973 season and thrived as a starter in all 14 games. He logged 198 carries for 663 yards (both career highs), though his yards-per-carry average dipped to 3.3. He also caught 22 passes for a career-high 169 yards.

In 1974, he was no longer a starter but still played in all 14 games, posting 174 carries for 556 yards (a 3.2 average) and two touchdowns, along with 11 receptions for 55 yards.

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By 1975, Phillips had joined the Oakland Raiders, where he played in all 14 games, starting two. He recorded 63 carries for 298 yards (a 4.7 average) and one touchdown, along with four receptions for 25 yards. He also returned 12 kicks for 310 yards, averaging 25.8 yards per return.

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In 1976, Phillips signed with the New England Patriots and appeared in 13 games, tallying 24 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown, plus one reception for 18 yards. He also returned 14 kicks for 397 yards, a career-best 28.4-yard average. His final season came in 1977 with the Patriots, when he played all 14 games, posting five carries for 27 yards and one touchdown.