Former NFL wide receiver Jacoby Jones, a standout with the Texans and Ravens, dies at age 40

Kari Anderson
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 24: Jacoby Jones #12 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 24, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens defeated the Saints 34-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Jacoby Jones played in the NFL for nine seasons, including three seasons as a Baltimore Raven. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) (Wesley Hitt via Getty Images)

Former NFL wide receiver Jacoby Jones, a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens, died overnight on Saturday in his Houston-area home, according to multiple reports. Jones, who celebrated his birthday on July 11, had just turned 40. A cause of death is not immediately clear.

The NFL Players Association released a statement Sunday afternoon on behalf of the Jones family, confirming that Jones "passed away peacefully at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana." Jones was born and raised in New Orleans before attending Lane College in Tennessee.

In the statement, the NFLPA expressed sadness for the loss of the late receiver, and said that the Jones family, including his mother and his son, are together at this time.

The owner of the Beaumont Renegades, an indoor football league that hired Jones as its inaugural head coach in April, also confirmed the former receiver's death on Sunday. Sam Gordon called Jones "the most humble and kind person to anybody" in a phone interview with KPRC 2 Houston on Sunday morning.

Jones played in the NFL for nine seasons, spending his first five with the Houston Texans before signing with the Ravens in 2012. Jones had a standout season in his first year in Baltimore, being named First Team All-Pro and heading to the Pro Bowl during the Ravens' championship-winning 2012 season.

During the run-up to Baltimore's Super Bowl XLVII victory, Jones caught what is now known as the "Mile High Miracle," a 70-yard touchdown from quarterback Joe Flacco in the final minute of the AFC divisional game against the Denver Broncos. The touchdown forced the game into double overtime, where a game-winning touchdown sent the Ravens to the AFC championship game. Jones then scored two touchdowns, including a 108-yard kick return, during the Super Bowl to give Baltimore a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Ravens posted a tribute to the late receiver on Sunday, writing in a statement that "Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day."

The Ravens also included a statement from head coach John Harbaugh, who coached Jones during his three years in Baltimore. "His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light," Harbaugh wrote.

The Texans also paid tribute to Jones, extending thoughts and prayers to his family.

Some of Jones' former teammates paid tribute to Jones on social media, including Texans legend JJ Watt and former Ravens teammates Ray Lewis and Anquan Boldin, as well as wide receiver Torrey Smith, who played with Jones in Baltimore, and quarterback Matt Leinart, who overlapped with Jones for two seasons in Houston.

Current Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also honored Jones in a post.

As did Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and others:

Jones stayed with the Ravens through three seasons before finishing out his career with brief stints with the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. In September 2017, Jones signed a one-day contract with Baltimore so that he could officially retire as a Raven.

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