Jacoby Jones, the former NFL wide receiver and special teams ace, has died at the age of 40. No cause of death was immediately announced.
“We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Ravens said in a statement on Sunday. “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.”
Jones sealed his place in Baltimore and NFL history by grabbing a rainbow shot from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, dubbed the “Mile High Miracle”, during the team’s run to Super Bowl XLVII.
With his team facing a third-and-30, Jones reeled in a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass from Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Baltimore’s AFC divisional playoff game against the host Denver Broncos. The Ravens eventually won in double overtime.
11 years ago today, Joe Flacco and Jacoby Jones connected for an unbelievable 70-yard touchdown now known as the “Mile High Miracle” in the Divisional Round to tie up the game with under 1 minute left
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 12, 2024
The Ravens would go on to defeat the Broncos in 2OT pic.twitter.com/G0MXrkbRqN
Three weeks later, Jones had a 56-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of the Super Bowl and added a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the 49ers. The latter stands as the longest return in postseason history. Making the memory all the sweeter, the Louisiana native’s performance came at the Superdome in New Orleans.
“In the biggest game, on the biggest stage, he had his best game in his home town,” former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said when inducting Jones into the team’s Ring of Honor. “That’s surreal.”
Jones played the first five years of his career with the Houston Texans, but was released after fumbling twice in a playoff loss to the Ravens in January 2011.
After joining the Ravens as a free agent, Jones instantly became a sparkplug for the team’s offense and a fan favorite. He scored four touchdowns during the 2012 regular season and added three more scores in the playoffs – all of them in sensational fashion.
An All-Pro returner and Pro Bowl selection in 2012, Jones had 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns in 128 career games (33 starts) with the Houston Texans (2007-11), Ravens (2012-14), Pittsburgh Steelers (2015) and the San Diego Chargers (2015).
Jones signed a one-day contract to retire with the Ravens in 2017. More recently, he served as the receivers coach at Alabama State.
“I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “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.”
