Jacoby Jones dies at 40, Super Bowl held
Jacoby Jones Makes History for the Baltimore Ravens: In His Career-Defining Game, the Football Pro Digs Up a Super Bowl Victory. Jones Pass Catcher Passes Away.
In Super Bowl 47, Jacoby Jones etched himself into immortality for his Baltimore Ravens: In the first half, the pass catcher turned a 56-yard pass into a touchdown, but he made history with the first play after halftime: Jones returned the San Francisco 49ers' kickoff the entire length of the field into their endzone. He was 108 yards into his journey, more than any other player before or since in a Super Bowl.
The Ravens went on to win the dramatic showdown - thanks to the two touchdowns from Jacoby Jones - with a score of 34:31. The team had to announce: Jacoby Jones is deceased. The unforgettable pass catcher died on Sunday at the age of just 40. The cause of death is still unknown. In the last month, ESPN reported, Jones had attended a Ravens reunion and was seen joking with teammates.
"Lit Up Every Room"
"Jacoby had the unique ability to get along with everyone he met. His charisma, joy, and love created a unique presence that lit up every room and could light up even the darkest day," the Ravens shared in a statement on Sunday. For the Ravens, Jones, whom the Houston Texans drafted in the third round of the NFL in 2007, played for three seasons starting in 2012.
In his very first playoff game for the Ravens, Jones conjured up a magnificent catch for the record books: In the Divisional Playoff, the Ravens trailed the Denver Broncos by just a few seconds before the end, and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco heaved a desperation pass towards the endzone - and Jones caught the ball and carried it into the endzone for the tying touchdown. The play went down in league history as the "Mile High Miracle." In the second overtime, the Ravens' Cinderella story ended with a Super Bowl triumph. The game, which Jacoby Jones made unforgettable.
"I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did," Ravens Coach Jim Harbaugh said on Sunday in a statement. "His spirit, enthusiasm, and love for people were strong. He was a light. My favorite moment with Jacoby was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy." Five-time Pro Bowler J.J. Watt, who played with Jones in Houston, bid farewell to his former teammate in a similar way: "Jacoby was one of the most joyful teammates and people I've ever been around. He always danced and laughed, with a constant smile on his face."
Following his exceptional performance, Jacoby Jones, the former Baltimore Ravens player, was honored as a three-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. In the thrilling Super Bowl 47, Jones' historic achievements included scoring a touchdown from a 56-yard pass and returning a kickoff 108 yards for another touchdown, breaking the previous Super Bowl record. After a successful career, tragically, Jones passed away at the age of 40, leaving behind a legacy in American Football, influencing the NFL and inspiring fans with his enthusiasm and charisma.
