Jacoby Jones, a Baltimore Ravens Tremendous Bowl star who was recognized for the “Mile Excessive Miracle” and his jovial antics, has died on the age of 40.
The reason for Jones’ demise was not instantly out there.
In an announcement launched Sunday via the NFL Gamers Affiliation, Jones’ household stated that he died “peacefully” at his dwelling in New Orleans.
“The household, together with his mom, Emily and his son, Little Jacoby, are collectively and are asking for prayers, privateness, and help as they navigate via this troublesome time.”
The Ravens stated in an announcement Sunday that “Jacoby had the distinctive capability to attach with everybody he encountered. His charisma, pleasure and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that would gentle up any room or brighten any darkish day.”
A nine-year NFL veteran whose enjoyable persona and flamboyant finish zone dances endeared him to followers and teammates, Jones etched himself in NFL historical past throughout the Ravens’ 2012 Tremendous Bowl run, scoring three postseason touchdowns in essentially the most dramatic trend.
Jones’ most memorable catch, the “Mile Excessive Miracle,” got here on a high-arcing 70-yard landing cross from quarterback Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in an AFC divisional playoff recreation in January 2013. With Baltimore trailing 35-28 in Denver, Jones received behind security Rahim Moore for the game-tying landing.
“Once I ran ultimately zone, it was quiet. You heard rat piss on cotton,” Jones instructed ESPN on the 10-year anniversary of the catch. “I am like, this ain’t actual.”
Then, within the Ravens’ Tremendous Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Jones grew to become the primary participant to attain a receiving landing and a return landing in the identical recreation in Tremendous Bowl historical past. His 108-yard kickoff return landing to open the second half is the longest scoring play within the historical past of the Tremendous Bowl.
When half of the Superdome’s lights went out for 34 minutes in Tremendous Bowl XLVII, Jones stated he performed freeze tag with broad receiver Torrey Smith to remain unfastened.
“They had been saying, ‘Let’s stretch,'” Jones later stated. “Stretch? I ain’t by no means stretched in my life.”
A yr after, Jones discovered himself in the course of controversy in a recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving night time. After fielding a kickoff on the objective line, Jones had nobody else between him and the tip zone till Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood on the sting of the sideline, together with his again turned to the motion and his proper foot squarely within the subject of play.
Tomlin hopped to his left on the final second, however Jones needed to swerve to his proper to keep away from hitting him. That slight adjustment to his path allowed Jones to get caught from behind by Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen. “I do not blame him. I nonetheless love him,” Jones later stated. “I would do the identical factor to me.”
Jones later appeared in 4 video games for Tomlin and the Steelers in 2015, his remaining season. Tomlin expressed his “heartfelt sympathy” to Jones’ household in a publish to X on Sunday and stated he “loved teaching him throughout his time with the Steelers.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s favourite play involving Jones got here every week after the Thanksgiving recreation. With Baltimore trailing 19-15 with 1:16 left within the recreation, Harbaugh remembers wanting again the place the kickoff was going to go and seeing Jones speaking behind the tip zone to his mom.
After screaming Jones’ title, Harbaugh watched Jones flip round as quickly because the ball was kicked and return it 77 yards for a landing on a snow-covered subject at M&T Financial institution Stadium.
“I beloved Jacoby Jones. All of us did,” Harbaugh stated in an announcement Sunday. “His spirit, enthusiasm and love for individuals had been highly effective. He was a lightweight. My favourite Jacoby private second was each time I noticed his smiling face filled with pleasure.”
Earlier than becoming a member of the Ravens, Jones spent 5 seasons with the Houston Texans.
A number of former teammates, together with Ray Lewis, Smith and J.J. Watt, remembered Jones with posts to social media.
My brother, you’ll actually be missed. They cannot take the reminiscences and the exhausting work you place in on and off the soccer subject. You all the time gave again and all the time a pillar in the neighborhood, a @Ravens for all times 💜. Love ya JJ#RL52 #Ray #Lewis #52 #JacobyJones12 #Jacoby #Jones #12… pic.twitter.com/kfmb0DHHJb
— Ray Lewis (@raylewis) July 14, 2024
My brother! I thank God for the reminiscences and your influence on this world. You had been 1 of 1 ! Your play on the sector and jokes will reside on without end! We’ve Momma Jones a Lil Coby’s again for all times! This one damage me man! We’re going to miss you!
Love you bro! pic.twitter.com/r9MZKU4sqb
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) July 14, 2024
Jacoby was probably the most fun-loving teammates and other people I’ve ever been round. At all times dancing and laughing, with a everlasting smile on his face.
Gone far, far too quickly.
R.I.P Jacoby Jones.
🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/7r2aIJrb13
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 14, 2024
Jones was probably the most electrical return males of his period, scoring 9 kickoff and punt return touchdowns in a seven-year span. He was named a first-team All-Professional in 2012 and made his solely Professional Bowl that season.
In 2017, Jones signed a one-day contract to retire with the Ravens. Final month, he attended a Ravens reunion at minicamp and was seen cracking jokes with teammates.
Jones remained linked to the Baltimore group, serving as an assistant coach at an area highschool and Morgan State College through the years. Jones stated he relived all of his reminiscences at any time when he returned to Baltimore.
“Each time I have a look at that stadium, I bow to it,” Jones instructed ESPN in April.
In April, Jones was employed as the pinnacle coach and offensive coordinator of the Beaumont Renegades, an indoor soccer enlargement franchise set to start play in 2025.
“He was the most effective, he beloved everybody,” Sam Gordon, the proprietor of the Renegades, instructed KPRC-TV in Houston. “I believe probably the most essential issues is he was a person of God. He was pleased with how a lot he beloved and feared his god. What was most essential to him after soccer was serving to the following particular person in line. He was essentially the most humble and type particular person to anyone who gave him the time and wanted the time from him.”