Former NFL WR Jacoby Jones Died of Heart Disease, Medical Examiner's Report Says
August 6, 2024
Former NFL wide receiver and returner Jacoby Jones, whose legendary 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown helped spark the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win in February 2013, died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, caused by long-term high blood pressure.
Shannon Person of TMZ Sports reported the news via a medical examiner on Jones, who died at the age of 40 on July 14. His cause of death was listed as natural.
Jones played an invaluable role for the 2012 Ravens en route to their Super Bowl title. He was on the receiving end of Joe Flacco's 70-yard touchdown pass with 41 seconds left in regulation to help tie the Ravens' AFC Divisional Round game against the top-seeded Denver Broncos. The Ravens ended up winning 38-35 in double overtime.
He later scored two touchdowns in the Super Bowl, a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers. One was via the aforementioned kickoff return, but he also snagged a 56-yard touchdown pass from Flacco in the second quarter to help give Baltimore a 21-3 lead.
Jones suited up for the Houston Texans, Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers over a nine-year career (2007-2015), earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as a returner in 2012. He returned five kicks and four punts for touchdowns during his career, in addition to catching 203 passes for 2,733 yards and 14 more scores.
The former Lane College star returned to his alma mater after his career, coaching wide receivers in 2018 and 2019. Jones also coached tight ends for Morgan State in 2021 and wide receivers for Alabama State in 2022 and 2023.
Jones clearly made an indelible impact on his teammates and coaches based on remarks following his death, including those from Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Ray Lewis @raylewisMy brother, you will truly be missed. They can't take the memories and the hard work you put in on and off the football field. You always gave back and always a pillar in the community, a <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ravens</a> for life 💜. Love ya JJ<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RL52?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RL52</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ray?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ray</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lewis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lewis</a> #52 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JacobyJones12?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JacobyJones12</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jacoby?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jacoby</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jones?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jones</a> #12… <a href="https://t.co/kfmb0DHHJb">pic.twitter.com/kfmb0DHHJb</a>
Jonas Shaffer @jonas_shafferPart of a statement from Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Jacoby Jones' passing:<br><br>"I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did. 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."
But this year's Ravens also recognize him, to the point where reigning NFL MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke of hoping to win a Super Bowl in his honor during an interview with CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones (10:10 mark):
This year's Super Bowl is notably in New Orleans. Not only was Jones a New Orleans native, but his Super Bowl heroics also occurred in the city.
Harbaugh also dedicated a training camp practice to Jones on July 27.