Former Texans, Ravens wide receiver, Super Bowl standout Jacoby Jones died overnight

houston – Jacoby Jones, a former Texans wide receiver and third-round draft pick from Lane College who emerged as a record-setting Super Bowl standout as a kickoff returner for the Baltimore Ravens, died in his sleep overnight.

No cause of death was immediately announced. Jones was 40 years old.

“I like Jacoby Jones, we all do,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was the beloved son of his loving mother, Ms. Emily. They were very close. He was a man of faith.

“My favorite Jacoby personal moment was when I saw his smiling face full of joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Texans said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

“He was the best, he was loved by everybody,” Beaumont Renegades owner Sam Gordon told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “I think one of the most important things is that he was a man of God. He was proud of how much he loved his God and how much he feared Him. What was most important to him after football was helping the next person in line. He was the most humble and kind person to anyone who gave him time and needed time from him.

Jones was known for his speed and playmaking skills as a player, and for his friendly personality off the field. He was living in Missouri City.

“Jacoby was one of the most fun teammates and guys I’ve ever been around,” former Texans teammate JJ Watt wrote on social media. “Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone too far, too soon. RIP Jacoby Jones.”

A native of New Orleans, Jones helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2013 and was named first-team All-Pro that season. He returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers for the longest play in Super Bowl history. He also became the first player to catch a touchdown and score on a return in the same Super Bowl.

“My brother, you will be truly missed,” Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis wrote on social media. “They can’t forget the memories and hard work you made on and off the football field. You always gave back and were always a pillar in the community, a raven for life. Love you JJ.”

Jones finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 7,628 return yards with 14 touchdowns and nine scores on special teams.

Jones played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011 and joined the Ravens as a free agent after being released by the Texans in 2012 and played for three seasons in Baltimore. He later played for the Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring from the game on September 29, 2017 and signing a one-day contract with the Ravens to retire as a member of the AFC North franchise.

Jones was hired this year by the indoor football team Beaumont Renegades as their head coach and offensive coordinator.

“Jacoby was a special football player,” the Renegades said in a statement. “He loved every minute of every game and knew that every day was a blessing. But whatever can be said about Jacoby the football player only reflects who he was as a man. When you needed someone, he was there. When you called he answered. When you sent the message, he replied. It doesn’t matter whether you were a family member, close friend, former coach or teammate, a player coached by him.

“The thing Jacoby loved doing most was giving back and helping the next generation of children achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. He left no one behind and gave time to every young kid and player who asked for it. “Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies go out to his family as they recover from this sudden and tragic loss.”

Jones began coaching at his alma mater, Lane College, in 2018 as the wide receivers coach. He coached receivers at Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore and tight ends at Morgan State before being hired as the receivers coach at Alabama State in 2022.

Jones once partnered with Karina Smirnoff on the Dancing with the Stars television program and reached the finals before finishing in third place.

Jones was named to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame this year and is also in the Hall of Fame at Lane College and his high school Hall of Fame at Marion Abramson in New Orleans.

Harbaugh said, “My favorite football game was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone right before the late game kickoff return against the Vikings in the blizzard shootout.” “Then Jacob raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown.”

Aaron Wilson is the Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com