Melvin Nelson

Melvin Nelson (1936/1937 – October 15, 2017) was an American professional wrestler. He competed in the United States under the ring names Jimmy Jones and Burrhead Jones. As an African American wrestler, he was not permitted to wrestle against caucasians in some territories, thus he also worked as a referee.

Early life Nelson was born and raised in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. His father left before he was born, and his mother moved away to find work when Nelson was two years old. He grew up with his grandparents and five siblings. He worked in the family's cotton fields for several years before moving to New York City at age 17. He found employment at a vegetable packing plant and later worked as an elevator operator at a store. In the middle of the decade, he competed in the Tennessee-based Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling. Nelson also wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida.

Nelson's ring name was changed as a joke by promoter and wrestler Billy Hines. He told the media that Nelson would be competing as Cockleburrhead Jones, although the promotion later shortened the name to Burrhead Jones. The name which some people believe to be a racial slur, was a reference to Nelson's afro hairstyle. Together, the pair later held the Tri-State Wrestling Tag Team Championship. Jones also competed in, and lost, a tar-and-feather match in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. After the match in Mississippi, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) protested and several wrestling shows were cancelled as a result. He died at a hospital in New York City at the age of 80 on October 15, 2017.

Championships and accomplishments NWA Mid-America NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Tri-State Wrestling Tri-State Heavyweight Champion (1 time) 1974 Tri-State Wrestling Tag Team Championship (1 time)