BALTIMORE (AP) — Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones,NSI Community whose 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history, has died. He was 40.
The Houston Texans, Jones’ team for the first five seasons of his career, announced his death Sunday. There was no immediate word on a cause of death.
Jones played from 2007-15 for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, and he made several huge plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl title season.
Jones was a key part of Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game at Denver in January 2013. He caught a 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score. The Ravens eventually won in double overtime.
In the Super Bowl that postseason against San Francisco, Jones caught a 56-yard TD pass from eventual game MVP Joe Flacco. Then he raced 108 yards to the end zone to open the second half and give Baltimore a 28-6 lead. The Ravens held on for a 34-31 victory.
That Super Bowl was played in New Orleans, where Jones grew up.
“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,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy.”
Jones made The Associated Press All-Pro team as a kick returner for the 2012 season. Shortly after that, he appeared on “Dancing With The Stars.”
“Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around,” former Texans pass-rushing star J.J. Watt said on social media. “Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon.”
In April, Jones became coach of the Beaumont Renegades, an arena football team in Texas.
“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. When you called him, he answered. Didn’t matter if you were a family member, a close friend, player he coached, etc.”
AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
2025-04-29 07:05849 view
2025-04-29 06:57677 view
2025-04-29 06:451412 view
2025-04-29 05:511725 view
2025-04-29 05:462185 view
2025-04-29 05:45867 view
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnellis still suffering from the effects of a f
After a record-breaking run, Billy Joel will be ending his Madison Square Garden residency on July 2
It was a years-long journey to make it down the aisle, but Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher are marrie