NFL player Jacoby Jones, Super Bowl champion for the Baltimore Ravens, dies at age 40

Jacoby Jones, a former standout kick returner and wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, San Diego (LA) Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, died in his sleep July 14. Jones, best known for his electrifying kick return in Super Bowl XLVII, was fondly remembered by former teammates and coaches.

According to reports, Jones died in his sleep and no reason for death has been given at the time of writing. Baltimore Ravens issued an announcement following Jones’ death and offered their condolences to the Jones family.

“Jacoby had a unique ability to connect with everyone he met,” the Ravens said. “His charisma, joy and love created a unique presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day. Jacoby will long be remembered not only for his success on the football field, but also for the lasting personal relationships he formed with countless people throughout the Ravens organization, the Baltimore community and every area he called home. We extend our deepest condolences to Jacoby’s family as we all begin to process this devastating loss.”

According to reports, Jones turned 40 on July 11. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft after ending his collegiate profession at Division 2 school Lane College. Jones played the first five years of his profession in Houston before being released in 2012. From there, Jones signed with the Baltimore Ravens and that season became the first player to return two kickoffs for 105 yards or more in the same season.

Despite his contributions in the 2013 Super Bowl, mockingly, it’s not the play that Ravens fans most cherish from Jones. In a 2023 interview with Jones, he mentioned that the “Mile High Miracle,” his reference to Joe Flacco during the 2013 NFL playoffs for a 70-yard touchdown that forced time beyond regulation and led to a Ravens victory, is the play he’s most frequently remembered for.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I do not (do not forget that) if I see a Ravens fan, they’ll look at me, point and say, ‘Mile High.’ They don’t care about the Super Bowl. They’ll say, ‘Mile High.’

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh issued his own statement expressing his love and appreciation for Jones, saying, “I loved Jacoby Jones,” Harbaugh said. “We all did. His spirit, his enthusiasm and his love for people were powerful. He was a light.”

Harbaugh continued, “He was a beloved son to his loving mother, Mrs. Emily. They were so close. He was a man of faith. My favorite football moment was when Jacoby was talking to his mother in the end zone just before the late kickoff return against the Vikings in a shootout in a snowstorm. Jacoby ran to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown. My favorite personal moment of Jacoby was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”

Before his death, Jones had recently agreed to develop into the offensive coordinator for the Beaumont Renegades of the American Football League. Sam Gordon, GM of the Renegades, said Jones was a special man.

“Jacoby was a God-fearing man who loved his friends, and if I had to use words to describe who he was, he was loyal and devoted to all of us,” Gordon said. “If you called, he would answer. If you needed him somewhere, he would show up.”

The team echoed Gordon’s statement in its own statement: “Jacoby was a special player. He loved every minute of every game and knew he was blessed to be where he was every day,” the Renegades said. “But what you can say about him as a player is just the tip of the iceberg of who he was as a person. When you needed someone, he was there. When you called him, he answered. It didn’t matter if you were a family member, a close friend, a player he coached, etc. He was a Man of God. Proud of how much he feared and loved God. Jacoby never shied away from speaking openly about his faith.”