Tag: Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones’ family expresses appreciation following WR’s death

Former Houston Texans receiver Jacoby Jones passed away peacefully at his home in New Orleans on Sunday.

Jacoby Jones, who once electrified fans of the Houston Texans as a return man and receiver, died peacefully in his home in New Orleans, the Jones family announced Sunday morning.

Jones, who also made history for the longest play in Super Bowl history as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, had just turned 40 on Thursday.
In a statement released by the NFLPA, the Jones family expressed their gratitude for the kind words from NFL fans on the passing of the longtime NFL receiver.

“We want to express our gratitude for all the kind thoughts and support you have shown us during this challenging time,” the family wrote. “Your ongoing support and respecting our privacy means a lot to us.”

Jones, a third-round pick out of Lane College in 2007, spent five of his nine seasons as a member of the Texans and was a staple of the return game under Gary Kubiak. He still holds numerous franchise records, including most punt returns in a single season, most punt return yards in a single season and most career all-purpose yards, among others.

As a complimentary piece to Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels, Jones totaled 127 catches for 1,741 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. He was released before the start of the 2012 season and immediately signed a two-year contract with the Ravens,

A fixture in Baltimore’s special teams game, Jones stepped up in critical moments while helping the Ravens secure their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. He caught a 71-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco against the Denver Broncos with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score in what would later be dubbed the “Mile High Miracle.”

Jones also stepped twice in Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers with a pair of scores. He caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Flacco in the second quarter after falling to the ground and evading a pair of defenders in the red zone.

Jones also kickstarted the second half with a historic 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Those two scores were enough to secure a 34-31 win despite a comeback from the 49ers.

Perhaps the best part of all? The Super Bowl that year was played at the Superdome in front of Jones’ family in New Orleans.

“I loved Jacoby Jones,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “We all did. His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light.

“My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of Joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”

Known for his vibrant personality and dance moves on the field, Jones took his talents to the ballroom as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2013, where he was a finalist and came in third place in season 16 with partner Karina Smirnoff.

In April, Jones was named head coach of the Beaumont Renegades, an arena league set to begin play in 2025. He previously coached at his alma mater at Lane College and Alabama State, working with wide receivers.

“What can be said about him as a football player is only scratching the surface of who he was as a man,” the Renegades said in a statement. “When you needed something, he was there.”

For his career, Jones finished with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a returner, he scored an additional nine touchdowns (five kickoffs, four punts) in 128 total regular-season games.

The Texans also released a statement on Jones’ passing, offering condolences to the family.

Former Texans, Ravens WR Jacoby Jones dies at 40

Former NFL player Jacoby Jones dies at 40

Tragedy has struck the NFL as former Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones died at 40.

A cause of death has not been released.

Jones was drafted by the Texans in 2007. He played four seasons with Houston. With the Ravens, he was a Pro Bowler in 2012. He was on Baltimore’s roster from 2012-14.

He also played for the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers in his NFL career.

The Ravens released a statement, saying:

“We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones.

“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.

“Jacoby will long be remembered not just for his success on the football field, but for the lasting personal connections he made with countless people in the Ravens organization, Baltimore community and every area he called home.

“We share our deepest condolences with Jacoby’s family as we all begin to process this devastating loss.”

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh released a statement, saying:

“I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did. His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was the cherished son of his loving mom, Ms. Emily. They were so close. He was a man of faith.

“My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown.

“My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of Joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”

Jones was the receiver on a huge play in Ravens history, catching a 70-yard TD pass on a third-and-30 against the Denver Broncos with less than a minute left in a 2013 Division Round game that Baltimore went on to win 38-35 in double overtime.

He scored two touchdowns in the Super Bowl win over the 40ers. Jones had a 56-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and added a 108-yard kickoff return to begin the third versus the 49ers. The latter stands as the longest return in postseason history.

J.J. Watt offered condolences on Twitter.

Ray Lewis weighed in:

The NFL commented:

Former Ravens WR Jacoby Jones passed away at age 40

Former Ravens WR Jacoby Jones passed away at age 40

Tragedy has struck the NFL landscape once more. On Sunday morning, it was announced former Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans wide receiver/return specialist Jacoby Jones tragically passed away. Jones was only 40 years old. At the moment, no cause of death has been announced, but he passed peacefully in his sleep.

NFL fans, especially those who root for the Seattle Seahawks, will always remember Jones for his maginificent performances during the 2012 postseason, where he played an integral role in the Baltimore Ravens’ magical run for a Lombardi over the San Francisco 49ers. Jones had arguably the defining moment of Super Bowl XLVII when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 109 yards – an NFL record.

This was Jones’ second touchdown of the Super Bowl, as his first came with under two minutes left in the game. His only reception was a 56-yard bomb to put the Ravens up 21-6 over San Francisco. The highlight can be viewed here at the 4:40 mark.

Of course, the Ravens would not have even been in the Super Bowl if it wasn’t for Jones and Flacco’s heroics in the Divisional Round. Trailing the Denver Broncos 35-28 with under a minute to go, Flacco found Jones for a 70-yard touchdown to tie the game. Baltimore would go on to win 38-35 in double overtime.

The news of Jones’ passing comes a little over two weeks following similarly tragic news of Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson passing away in a fatal car crash.

We at Seahawks Wire want to offer our prayers and condolences to Jones’ family and friends. Rest easy.

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Former Steelers WR Jacoby Jones dead at 40 years old

Jacoby Jones has passed at way at only 40 years old.

According to a report by Houston NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and kick returner Jacoby Jones was found dead in his home overnight. Jones was only 40 years old.

Jones only spent 2015 with the Steelers but Pittsburgh knew him well before them because of his time with the Baltimore Ravens. Jones started four of 13 games he appeared in in 2015 and had nine punt returns for 220 yards.

Jones played in the NFL from 2007-2015 and played for five teams including the Ravens, Houston Texans, Steelers and San Diego Chargers. Few players have been better as a return man in the history of the NFL.

Every Steelers fan remembers the now-infamous kickoff return Jones had against Pittsburgh back in 2013. Jones broke loose on a kickoff return and seemed to have an easy touchdown but a questionable move by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on the sideline forced Jones to slightly alter his course, and he was stopped short by cornerback Cortez Allen.

Our thoughts are with Jones’ family at this time. No cause of death has been given and this is an ongoing situation.

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Former Ravens WR Jacoby Jones passes away at age 40

Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones died in his sleep at the age of 40

The Ravens are mourning the death of former talented wide receiver Jacoby Jones, as the former NFL veteran passed away in his sleep.

No cause of death was immediately announced. Jones was 40 years old.

A New Orleans native, Jones was named first-team All-Pro in 2013 and helped Baltimore defeat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers for the longest play in Super Bowl history. He also became the first player to catch a touchdown and score on a return in the same Super Bowl.

Jones finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns with 7,628 return yards and nine scores on special teams.

Jones played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011 before signing with the Ravens as a free agent after being released by the Texans in 2012, playing in Baltimore for three seasons.

Former Texans WR Jacoby Jones breaks down the ‘little things’ of success

Former Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones knows what it takes to win and it all starts with the little things.

What made former Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones get into coaching?

Money wasn’t the backing. Neither is the fame since he’s already got a Lombardi Trophy and an iconic play that will live on in league history beyond 2024.

No, for Jones, the newest head coach of the National Arena League  Beaumont Renegades,  coaching is something he’s coveted for years. Much like Texans’ coach and breakout play-caller DeMeco Ryans, it’s in his DNA.

And given the age gap between him and his players, there’s a sense of relatability between the two sides.

“They’re grown men,” Jones told Texans Wire earlier this month. “They have to hold themselves accountable and I have to hold myself accountable. We give each other respect. I’m going to let them play ball and not try to put them on a hanger.”

Ryans, one of the essential factors in helping Houston’s turnaround last season from the league’s laughing stock into a legitimate AFC contender, has time on his side. He’s less than a decade removed from playing the game and only spent one season in retirement mode before getting into coaching.

Countless players, including newly signed linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, have credited Ryans’ demeanor and reliability to his timeline in retirement. Jones, who haul in his last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015, offers a similar sentiment.

He also believes that the on-field play is only a fraction of what defines success for a player’s persona in the league.

“It’s what you do behind closed doors when nobody’s watching you. What are you doing? When are you in here watching the film? Stuff like that,” said Jones. “The little things will take you far and beyond the norm. That’s what most people don’t understand. It’s the little things.

Little things aren’t necessarily waking up at 5 a.m. for workouts or spending a few extra hours in the gym. It’s stepping up to contribute on special teams. It’s finding a role in the huddle as a niche player.

Jones, a former third-round pick out of Lane College, wasn’t just a No. 3 receiver in Gary Kubiak’s offense. He returned punts, averaging nearly 10 yards a return.

He served as Houston’s kickoff lead en route to the franchise’s first postseason win over Cincinnati in 2011. Two years later, he made Super Bowl history with a 108-yard touchdown for the longest play in league history.

Joe Flacco won the MVP, but fans still talk about No. 12 running down the sideline to extend the Ravens’ lead by 22 points. It was the little things that stood out to John Harbaugh.

It’s the little things that matter to Ryans when building a roster.

It’s the little things that matter to Jones as a coach, and the small details are a reason why he can envision a title returning to NRG Stadium within five years.

“Right now? I can see them making the AFC Championship,” Jones said of the upcoming season. “Kansas City, they’ve had it already. I feel like it’s going to be the Ravens and the Texans fighting for the AFC Championship.”

Former Texans WR Jacoby Jones sees similarities between 2011 and 2024 rosters

Former Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones can see a path similar to the 2011 roster where C.J. Stroud and the crew make franchise history.

Jacoby Jones remembers first being sold on C.J. Stroud as he carved up Big Ten defenses during his two seasons at Ohio State.

Any receiver who spent over a decade in the league knows which quarterbacks will end up meeting expectations. Jones, a former third-round pick for the Houston Texans in 2007, knew it almost immediately in Stroud.

“He was a freak of nature,” Jones told Texans Wire. “Wicked smart player. He’s witty. When I say witty, I’m talking about the part of the definition where you’re not just smart, but you’re quick.

“He doesn’t play like a young kid. He plays like a mature vet that’s been there already.”

Jones, who spent five seasons in Houston as a go-to target for Matt Schaub in the Gary Kubiak era, knows the Texans can have a milestone season in 2024. Most national pundits think Houston is in for a promising campaign after the team acquired players like Joe Mixon, Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs this offseason.

Praise hits differently coming from a player who took reps on the field alongside Hall of Famer Andre Johnson.

From a player who went through the growing pains of a fairly young franchise. From a player who went through postseason heartbreak similar to what befell the 2023 squad against Baltimore in the divisional round.

Jones sees a path for Houston past Round 2. It starts with Nico Collins and carries over to Tank Dell and Diggs in the passing game.

“When you have receivers where you can’t double-cover anybody, just like we had when I was with the Texans … that’s the dynamic of the game,” Jones said. “No matter where that ball goes, something is going to happen.”

Stroud believes offensive production can catapult to new levels with “five No. 1 receivers.” Maybe it’s far-fetched to say Houston has five, but three on any given Sunday could be a legitimate reality for opposing defenses to worry about.

Everyone has a defined role. Collins, who just inked a three-year extension, wins with size across the middle and in the red zone. Dell, who was on pace for over 1,200 yards before suffering a season-ending leg injury in December, has the vertical speed to win both on the boundary and in the slot.

And Diggs, who since 2020 leads all NFL receivers in receptions (445), has been considered one of the league’s better route-runners, especially when targeting the middle of the field.

Jones, who won a Super Bowl with Baltimore a dozen years ago while splitting targets with Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Dennis Pitta and Ray Rice, remembers having a similar assignment in Houston when the franchise clinched its first playoff berth.

“You had Andre on one side, Kevin Walter on the other or in the slot. I’d get in the slot sometimes, and we had Owen Daniels,” Jones said. “Plus, we had Arian Foster out [of the] backfield. That’s when we hit the playoffs.

“When you got that around you, people can’t be one-dimensional. They can’t just say, ‘We’re going to lock this side down. ‘ You can’t do it. That’s when you get to be great.”

Jones can see a blueprint for this year’s team that resembles the 2011 playoff roster. That squad made history with the franchise’s first playoff win.

With the five-WR tandem around Stroud, perhaps Houston will make postseason history again, only this time reaching Jones’ home in New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

Ravens to host 2023 draft party

The Ravens are hosting a Draft Party at M&T Bank Stadium

The Baltimore Ravens currently have five picks in the 2023 NFL draft. The team will do whatever they can to improve their roster over the course of 2023 draft weekend, they will have their fanbase supporting them throughout the whole way.

The Ravens have announced that they are hosting a Draft Party on April 27th at 7PM EST. General admission tickets are $30 and you can buy them at this link or on the Ravens Mobile App. Former Ravens players such as Jimmy Smith, Jacoby Jones, Courtney Upshaw, and Pernell McPhee are scheduled to be in attendance, but maybe some current Ravens will make an appearance.

Since this years NFL Draft is in Kansas City, the Ravens decided that the theme for the draft party will be everything BBQ.  To go along with the BBQ theme, free food truck tastings from local Baltimore BBQ institutions as well as celebrity Pitmaster Megan Day will be on hand to give fans grill tips and insight on how they do BBQ in Kansas City.  All fans in attendance will also receive a custom Ravens ice mold giveaway

WATCH: Former Texas DE talks about his performance at the Tropical Bowl

Jones continues to build up his draft stock.

Former Texas defensive end Jacoby Jones was able to showcase his ability in front of professional scouts at the Tropical Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

The game features all-stars from all over the country and gives guys an opportunity to improve their games and boost their draft stock.

Jones talked about his performance and what his future holds after the game.

The 2021 season did not go as hoped for Jones as a foot injury in the Red River Shootout against Oklahoma cost him most of his senior season.

Losing Jones was a major blow for the Texas defense. The Horns went 0-5 and gave up 37.1 points per game while Jones was sidelined.

He finished his Texas career with 63 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in three seasons.

Jones will continue to develop his game in hopes to further his career at the professional level.

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Two Longhorns accept invites to Tropical Bowl

Darion Dunn and Jacoby Jones to play in an all-star bowl game.

Two former Longhorns will get an opportunity to showcase their skills as they prepare for the NFL Draft.

Both defensive end Jacoby Jones and cornerback Darion Dunn recently announced that they have accepted an invitation to partake in the FBS All Americans Tropical Bowl, which is held in Orlando, Florida. The three day event allows for players to get in front of NFL scouts while also playing in an all-star game to play in one last game as collegiate players.

Jones played in two seasons as a Longhorn after transferring from Butler Community College. His final season saw an uptick in his numbers as he recoded 29 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks in nine games played. Jones was a consistent contributor and started every game this past season besides the couple he missed due to an injury.

Dunn came to Texas as a transfer out of McNeese where he played football and ran track as well. He saw a lot of action for Texas even though he wasn’t a starter. Dunn finished the season with 21 total tackles, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble.

Both Longhorns will have a great chance to help their draft stock after Texas did not have the best of seasons.