Texans honor former WR Jacoby Jones before Giants game

The Houston Texans made sure to pay homage to former star receiver Jacoby Jones, who died earlier this offseason at the age of 40.

Before the Houston Texans kicked off their first preseason game at NRG Stadium, the franchise chose to honor a former friend. 

Former receiver and returner Jacoby Jones was posthumously honored prior to Saturday’s matchup against the New York Giants. The Jones family, plus several former teammates, took the field as a highlight video played on the jumbotrons. 

Jacoby Jones Jr. pulled the victory cannon to signal the start of the game. 

Jones, who spent five seasons in Houston before joining the Baltimore Ravens, died peacefully in his sleep at his New Orleans home on July 14, three days after his 40th birthday.  

According to the Orleans Parish medical examiner in New Orleans, Jones died due to the result of hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner listed the manner of death as natural.

Drafted in the third round out of Lane College in 2007, Jones caught 127 passes for 1,741 yards and 11 touchdowns with Houston. He also returned three punts for scores. 

Jones is perhaps best known for his 180-yard kick return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII, marking the longest touchdown return in Super Bowl history. He also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to secure the 34-31 win over San Francisco. 

“He was fun to be around, lit up any room that he walked into with his great spirit, and he’ll be truly missed,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said following his death last month. “I was very saddened to hear the news of him passing. Just truly feel sorry for the family and for all of his teammates, all the lives he’s touched. Jacoby, I remember he always did a great job of working camps and working with kids, and he always did an excellent job of doing that.”