Jacoby Jones, A Star Of Baltimore’s Most Recent Super Bowl Title Run, Has Died At Age 40

BALTIMORE — Jacoby Jones, a former NFL receiver whose 108-yard kickoff return from 2013 remained the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history, has died. He was forty.

The Houston Texans, Jones’ team for the first five seasons of his career, confirmed his death on Sunday. According to the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at home in New Orleans. The reason for death was not provided.

Jacoby Jones, A Star Of Baltimore’s Most Recent Super Bowl Title Run, Has Died At Age 40

Jones played for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers between 2007 and 2015, making several key plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl championship season.

Jones was a significant component of Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game against Denver in January 2013. With 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter, he caught a 70-yard touchdown pass that tied the game. The Ravens ultimately prevailed in double overtime.

Jones caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from eventual game MVP Joe Flacco in that season’s Super Bowl versus San Francisco. Then he ran 108 yards to the end zone to start the second half, giving Baltimore a 28-6 advantage. The Ravens secured a 34-31 victory.

The Super Bowl was held in New Orleans, where Jones grew up.

“My favorite football play was Jacoby’s conversation with his mother in the end zone, shortly before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then rushed to catch the ball and return it for a touchdown,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy.”

Jones earned a spot on The Associated Press All-Pro team as a kick returner in 2012. Shortly after that, he appeared on “Dancing with the Stars.”

“Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around,” former Texans pass-rusher J.J. Watt wrote on social media. “Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent grin on his face.” “Gone far too soon.”

Jacoby Jones, A Star Of Baltimore’s Most Recent Super Bowl Title Run, Has Died At Age 40

Jones took over as head coach of the Beaumont Renegades, a Texas-based arena football team, in April.

“What can be said about him as a football player is only scratching the surface of who he was as a man,” the Renegades stated. “Whenever you needed something, he was there. When you called, he answered. It didn’t matter if you were a family member, a personal friend, or a player he coached.

SOURCE | AP