![Jacoby Jones]()
Sad day in the NFL as multiple reports have indicated that former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver and return man Jacoby Jones died at only 40 years old.
https://twitter.com/Phil_Lewis_/status/1812499688228041031
https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/1812500450148577683
No indication as to what happened, but what a tragedy. Jones was a beloved teammate who came up with the biggest performance of his career when it mattered most.
The Ravens needed every bit of Jones' unique talents in Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers. That was one of the most surreal Super Bowls in retrospect, as brothers John and
Jim Harbaugh coached against each other, and the 49ers started Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. Jones not only had a phenomenal 56-yard TD where he evaded two defenders near the goal line, but also housed the opening kickoff of the second half from 108 yards away to make the score 28-6.
https://twitter.com/Landon3MR/status/1812492446229570018
https://twitter.com/khamszn/status/1812490482427068801
A random power outage delayed that game, and helped spark a furious 49ers rally, yet Baltimore prevailed 34-31 in the end. Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP, though a strong argument could've been made for Jones.
In addition to being a star in the Harbaugh Bros. Super Bowl, Jones made one of the most legacy-altering catches in NFL history. Had Broncos defensive back Rahim Moore properly played Joe Flacco's underthrown ball, the Ravens wouldn't have made it out of the Divisional Round. Instead, either Tom Brady or Peyton Manning probably have another Lombardi Trophy on their resume, while Flacco's career is looked at a lot differently.
https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1177968832486313984
What a bummer that Jones left the world so soon. In recent years, he started on a coaching journey, most recently serving as
Alabama State's wide receivers coach for the past two seasons. He was originally from New Orleans, and played college football at Lane College in Tennessee. Jones was so dominant at the Division II level that he managed to get drafted in the third round by the Houston Texans in 2007. His five-year stint there preceded the move to Baltimore in 2012, where he promptly became a first-team All-Pro returner.
Only eight players have ever returned more kickoffs for touchdowns in the regular season than Jones, who had five of those, in addition to four punt return TDs.
Texans legend JJ Watt was among those grieving over Jones on social media, along with ex-Ravens wideout Torrey Smith among others.
https://twitter.com/JJWatt/status/1812502601688318293
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/1812498262361837713
All the best to Jones' loved ones and friends in the midst of his sudden passing.
