Sunday, December 22, 2024

Jacoby Jones dies at 40: NFL world mourns loss of former Ravens WR, return specialist | Sporting News Australia

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Former NFL wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones reportedly died Saturday night, according to the Baltimore Sun. 

He died overnight at his home in Houston. The cause of death is currently not known.

Jones was 40 years old. 

Jones spent nine seasons in the NFL, starting with the Texans for five seasons before joining the Ravens in 2012. He earned his lone Pro Bowl honor with Baltimore, which came in his first season with the Ravens. 

A native of New Orleans, La., Jones helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 against the 49ers. His 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against San Francisco marks the longest play in Super Bowl yesterday. Jones also had a receiving TD in that championship, becoming the first player to catch a TD and score on a return in the same Super Bowl. 

He split his final season with the Steelers and the Chargers. Jones finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns. On special teams, he ended with 7,628 return yards and nine TDs. 

Jones was hired this year by the Beaumont Renegades, an indoor football team, as their head coach and offensive coordinator. Team owner, Sam Gordon, told KPRC 2 that Jones was “the best” and “loved by everyone.”

“I think one of the most important things is he was a man of God,” Gordon said. “He was proud of how much he loved and feared his God. What was most important to him after football was helping the next person in line. He was the most humble and kind person to anybody who gave him the time and needed the time from him.”

NFL reacts to death of Jacoby Jones

Former teammates and opponents of Jones took to social media on Sunday to mourn the loss of Jones. 

Among those that posted about his passing included former Ravens WR Torrey Smith, former Texans DE J.J. Watt, and former QB Matt Leinhart. 

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