Jacoby Jones, a former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, died at 40
Jacoby Jones, an NFL wide receiver who played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII by scoring two touchdowns, died Sunday, his former teams said.
“We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Ravens organization said in a statement. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day.”
Jones, a third-round draft pick by the Houston Texans out of Lane in 2007, quickly established himself as a dominant return specialist in the NFL. In 2012, his first season with the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-foot-3, 192-pound wideout was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowl return specialist.
In the AFC Divisional Round, Jones caught the "Mile High Miracle," a 70-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter that forced overtime and helped the Ravens defeat the Denver Broncos 38-35.
Then, in Super Bowl XLVII, Jones caught a 56-yard touchdown pass and returned a 108-yard kickoff for a score, the longest play in Super Bowl history, as the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 to capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Jones remains the first player to score both a receiving touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown in the same Super Bowl.
He concluded his NFL career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He also amassed 4,940 yards as a kick return specialist, with five touchdown returns, and 2,688 yards and four scores as a punt return specialist.
Jones was a nine-year NFL veteran who played for the Texans, Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the San Diego Chargers (now the Los Angeles Chargers).
“The NFL is heartbroken to hear of the passing of Super Bowl champion Jacoby Jones,” the league said in a post on social media. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Jones was 40 years old. Neither NFL team provided an official reason of death.
