Former Ravens wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones passed away, as reported on Sunday, he was 40.
Prior to Jones joining the Ravens in 2012, Jones was a member of the Houston Texans where he spent five seasons after being drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft out of division II Lane College. Jones would begin to make a name for himself as dangerous return man. Following the 2011 season Jones signed a two-year $7 million deal with the Ravens.
His impact was immediately felt that season catching 30 receptions for 406 yards, but his biggest impact was on special teams and several times helped the Ravens win during that 2012 season. The first came in week six when Jones returned a kickoff 108-yards, tying an NFL record and helping the Ravens to a 31-29 victory. Jones would become the first player in NFL history to return two kickoffs of 105-yards or more when he returned a 105-yard kickoff in week 10 against the Oakland Raiders.
Jones special season would continue the following week as he returned a 63-yard punt for a touchdown to help the Ravens to a 13-10 win over their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the first punt return by a Raven in team history against the Steelers.
Jones would be named a pro bowler in 2012, and his stellar play would continue into the 2012 postseason. In a back and forth AFC divisional round game against the Denver Broncos. The Ravens were down 35-28 with just 31 second in the game. The Ravens were facing a third down and three from the Ravens own 30-yard line. Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco stepped up in the pocket heaving a deep pass down the right sideline. The ball hung in the air for what seemed like forever, before Jones behind the entire Broncos secondary, caught the ball going untouched into the end zone tying the game in forcing overtime. The Ravens would go on to defeat the Broncos in double overtime 38-35 in the game now dubbed the “Mile High Miracle” to move on to their second straight AFC championship.
The Ravens would ultimately move on to that years Super Bowl where once again Jones would shine. In the second quarter Jones much like he did agains the Broncos got behind the 49ers defense catching a deep pass, falling down before getting up and charging towards the end zone, out running two 49ers defenders for a 56-yard touchdown. But Jones special night wasn’t over. In the opening kickoff of the second half Jones for the second time that season would return a kickoff 108-yards for a touchdown, the longest play in postseason and Super Bowl history. The Ravens would go on to beat the 49ers 34-31, giving Jones his first and only Super Bowl.
Jones would spend two more seasons with the Ravens in those two season Jones hauled in 46 passes for 586 yards while adding one kickoff return for a touchdown in each of his last two seasons in Baltimore.
Jones would finish his NFL career playing for the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, both during the 2015 season. Following 2015, Jones would be out of football in 2016 before playing for the Monterrey Steel of the National Arena League. Jones played in eight games for the Steel catching 19 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, and returning two missed field goals for two touchdowns.
Jones would sign a one day contract with the Ravens on September 29, 2017 and retired a Baltimore Raven.
Despite his short time in Baltimore Jones became a Ravens legend not only with his play on the field, but his infectious personality. His ties to Baltimore continued even after his retirement as he became the wide receivers coach at Calvert Hall College High School in 2020, before joining the staff at Morgan State in 2021 as the tight ends coach.
The post Former Raven Jacoby Jones Passes Away at 40 appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.