Ex-Ravens Player Dies

General view of the Baltimore Ravens helmet on the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at M&T Bank Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.


General view of the Baltimore Ravens helmet on the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at M&T Bank Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Today is a sad day for the National Football League.

According to a report by Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, former Baltimore Ravens WR and returner Jacoby Jones has passed away. He was just 40 years old.

Jones was one of the most electrifying returners in the game during his prime. He reportedly died overnight in his sleep at his home in Houston, although no cause of death has been disclosed yet.

A former third-round pick, he set a record for the longest play in Super Bowl history by returning a 108-yard kickoff for a touchdown vs. the San Francisco 49ers. He finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 scores, adding 7,628 return yards and nine touchdowns on special teams. Jones entered the NFL with the Houston Texans in 2007.

He later played for the Ravens, San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 2017. The Ravens signed him to a one-day contract so he would retire as a member of the organization.

Following a brief stint as an assistant coach in high school and college, the 40-year-old had just been hired to serve as head coach and offensive coordinator of the Beaumont Renegades, an indoor football team. He was known for his playful nature and his speed, and we’ll provide more updates about this unfortunate story as soon as they become available.