Jacoby Jones, Super Bowl Star for the Baltimore Ravens, Passes Away at 40

Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones, famed for his record-breaking 108-yard kickoff return during the 2013 Super Bowl, has passed away at the age of 40.

The Houston Texans, with whom Jones spent the first five seasons of his career, announced his passing on Sunday. The NFL Players Association released a statement from his family confirming that he died at his home in New Orleans, although no cause of death was disclosed.

Jones’s career spanned from 2007 to 2015, during which he played for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He is especially remembered for his pivotal performances with the Ravens during their last Super Bowl-winning season.

A standout moment in his career was Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game against Denver in January 2013. Jones caught a dramatic 70-yard touchdown pass with just 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game, leading to a double-overtime victory for the Ravens.

During that postseason’s Super Bowl against San Francisco, Jones further cemented his legacy. He caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, the eventual game MVP. To open the second half, he then sprinted 108 yards to score, giving Baltimore a commanding 28-6 lead. The Ravens ultimately secured a 34-31 victory.

That Super Bowl was played in New Orleans, which is Jones’ hometown.

“My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back 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 made The Associated Press All-Pro team as a kick returner for the 2012 season. 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 star J.J. Watt shared on social media. “Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon.”

In April, Jones took on the role of coach for the Beaumont Renegades, an arena football team based in Texas.

“What can be said about him as a football player is only scratching the surface of who he was as a man,” the Renegades said in a statement. “When you needed something, he was there. When you called him, he answered. Didn’t matter if you were a family member, a close friend, player he coached, etc.”