Former Ravens wide receiver and Super Bowl XLVII star Jacoby Jones has passed away, the team announced early Sunday morning.
He was 40 years old. The cause of death has not been announced.
“We are truly heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Ravens said in a statement. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he met. His charisma, joy and love were one of a kind and could light up any room and brighten any dark day.”
“Jacoby will long be remembered not only for his success on the football field, but also for the enduring personal connections he made with countless people throughout the Ravens organization, the Baltimore community and every neighborhood he called home.”
Jones, a Louisiana native, played just three seasons with the Ravens from 2012-14, but left an indelible mark on the team with his performance in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers. He had a 56-yard touchdown catch and a Super Bowl-record 108-yard kickoff return for a score early in the second half to help Baltimore win the game, 34-31, over the San Francisco 49ers.
He also made a 70-yard game-tying touchdown catch with just seconds left in regulation in the Ravens’ AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Denver Broncos that season, a game that was dubbed the “Mile High Miracle” and led to a double-overtime victory for Baltimore, which was named the greatest moment in team history during the NFL’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2019.
“I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was a precious son to a loving mother, Emily. They were very close. He was a man of faith.”
“My favorite football play was Jacoby talking to his mother in the end zone just before a kickoff return late in a snowstorm against the Vikings. Jacoby then caught the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. My favorite personal memory with Jacoby was seeing his smile, filled with joy. Rest in peace Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”
Jones, who played at Lane College and was a third-round draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2007, spent nine seasons in the NFL, including stints with Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the then-San Diego Chargers.
In September 2017, Jones signed a one-day contract with the Ravens to retire as a part of the franchise.
Jones holds the record for the most kickoff return touchdowns in the Ravemuth brothers’ career (four), the most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (two) and the longest kickoff return in franchise history, having recorded two more 108-yard kickoff returns in wins against the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.
An All-Pro returner and Pro Bowl selection in 2012, he finished his career with 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 125 touchdowns. He also had 4,940 yards and five touchdowns as a kick returner and 2,688 yards and four scores as a punt returner.
This article will be updated.
Photo by Kenneth K. Lamb, The Baltimore Sun
Jacoby Jones scored an NFL-record 108-yard kick return touchdown early in the third quarter in the Ravens’ 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lamb
Jacoby Jones scored an NFL-record 108-yard kick return touchdown early in the third quarter in the Ravens’ 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (left) and wide receiver Jacoby Jones celebrate after Flacco scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter of a 2012 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Kenneth K. Lamb / The Baltimore Sun
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — February 3, 2013 — Jacoby Jones (No. 12) of the Baltimore Ravens takes a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return into the end zone for a touchdown at the start of the second half of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox
Ed Reed and Jacoby Jones celebrate after the Ravens’ win over the Patriots.
Joe Mahoney/AP
Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones celebrates after crossing the goal line for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 in Denver.
Mitchell Leighton, Getty Images
Ravens wide receiver (and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant) Jacoby Jones threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Orioles’ game against the Red Sox on June 15, 2013.
Christopher T. Assaf / The Baltimore Sun
On November 11, 2012, Jacoby Jones caught a kickoff from Shane Lechler and ran 105 yards for a touchdown to seal a 55–20 victory for the Ravens against the Raiders. Jones had four kickoff return touchdowns during the regular season in his three years with the team.
Kim Hairston / The Baltimore Sun
BALTIMORE, Md. – August 12, 2017 – Former Ravens wide receiver and returner Jacoby Jones signs autographs during the team’s final open practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday. Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Aug. 3, 2012 — Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) calls out to his coach during a training practice at the Ravens athletic facility on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. (Karl Marton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) [FBN RAVENS TEAM PRACTICE (_D3S3400.JPG)]
DENVER-CO-1/12/13-sp-p16-ravens-broncos-sweeney—Ravens’ Jacoby Jones runs off the field after the game-winning field goal. Jones caught a tying 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. The Baltimore Ravens play the Denver Broncos in an AFC divisional game. Gene Sweeney Jr. Baltimore Sun Staff #7807
Owings Mills, Maryland – August 11, 2012 – Ravens #12 Jacoby Jones. Baltimore Ravens football practice at their practice facility in Owings Mills. Lloyd Fox – Sun Photographer – sp-ravens-camp-0812-p-fox-#133
1/12/13–Denver, Colorado–sp-p-ravens-broncos-fox,–Ravens #12 Jacoby Jones and teammate #82 Torrey Smith celebrate after Jones’ 4th quarter touchdown to tie the score during the NFL Football Playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Lloyd Fox, Sun Photographer #3467
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Feb. 3, 2013 — sp-4313-super-bowl-fox, — Ravens’ Jacoby Jones during pregame warmups during NFL Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun #4313
Dancing with the Stars – “Episode 1601” — “Dancing with the Stars” hits the dance floor with an all-new cast as the competition kicks off with the two-hour premiere of Season 16, airing live on the ABC Television Network, Monday, March 18 (8:00-10:01 PM ET). (ABC/Adam Taylor) Karina Smirnoff, Jacoby Jones
Pylesville native Matthew Wilson (right) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens player Jacoby Jones after getting his autograph during a signing session Wednesday night at Buon Gusto in Whiteford.
Jacoby Jones tied a Super Bowl record with a 108-yard touchdown return to open the second half of Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on Sunday. The score gave the Ravens a 28-6 lead over the San Francisco 49ers before a dramatic Baltimore defense clinched the title and prevented a comeback.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Feb. 3, 2013 — Jacoby Jones (No. 12) of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown on a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return into the end zone to open the second half of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. — Photo: Kenneth K. Lamb/The Baltimore Sun DSC_3923 sp-3923-super-bowl-lam
