On July 14, 2024, former NFL player Jacoby Jones died at his residence in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was 40 years old. Jones was a wide receiver and return specialist in the NFL.
In a statement disseminated through the NFL Players Association, Jones’ family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received. They also requested respect for their privacy during this difficult time.
Jones’ tenure with the Baltimore Ravens is his most remembered, highlighted by the team’s Super Bowl XLVII victory. During the game, Jones set a Super Bowl record by returning the second-half kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. He also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass, becoming the first player in Super Bowl history to score both a receiving and kickoff return touchdown in one game.
Torrey Smith, a former Ravens wide receiver, paid tribute to Jones on social media. “We are going to miss you,” Smith wrote. “Love you, bro!”
Jones started his NFL journey with the Houston Texans, who selected him in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft from Lane College. Before moving to the Ravens in 2012, Jones spent five seasons with the Texans, making a name for himself as a return specialist.
After his time with the Ravens, Jones had short stints with both the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 2017. Post retirement, Jones took up coaching roles at Lane College, Morgan State University, and Alabama State University.
Former NFL quarterback Matt Leinart expressed his grief over Jones’ death, saying, “I will always remember his laugh and larger-than-life personality. Rest in peace, brother.”
Jones also had a successful stint on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” where he and his partner Karina Smirnoff made it to the final round of Season 16 and finished in third place.
J.J. Watt, another former teammate, remembered Jones as someone who brought a lot of energy to the team. “He’s gone far too soon,” Watt noted.
Apart from his Super Bowl records, Jones is also known for his “Mile High Miracle” in the 2013 AFC Divisional Round, where he caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, tying the game against the Denver Broncos and propelling the Ravens to a double-overtime victory.
Both the Ravens and the wider NFL community have paid their respects, with many highlighting Jones’s ability to connect with people on a personal level. The Ravens stated, “Jacoby’s charisma, joy, and love made him uniquely capable of lighting up any room and brightening any dark day.”
Jones is survived by his mother, Emily, and his son, known as “Little Jacoby.”
