ExtremeRavens Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Jacoby Jones, the former Ravens All-Pro returner and star of their most recent Super Bowl victory, has died at age 40. The former wide receiver and special teams standout died “peacefully at his home in New Orleans,” according to a statement from the NFL Players Association on behalf of Jones’ family, though no official cause of death has been announced. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered,” the Ravens said in a statement. “His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten a dark day.” The wide receiver and return specialist spent three seasons with Baltimore. He returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns in 2012 and was named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro returner while adding 406 receiving yards. He was instrumental in both roles during the Ravens’ playoff run and second Super Bowl win. Jones remained intertwined with the Ravens long after he left the team. Just weeks ago, he attended Ravens minicamp alongside Ray Rice, Torrey Smith and other former players. Jones’ short but impactful tenure in Baltimore is marked by monumental highlights on and off the field. Here are some of his most memorable moments. ‘Mile High Miracle’ The Ravens trailed the Broncos by seven with less than 40 seconds to go in the 2013 AFC divisional round, 70 yards from the end zone and a chance to even the score. Joe Flacco stepped up in the pocket, reared back and unleashed a ball that soared through the thin Denver air. The third-and-3 pass sailed over an outstretched Broncos defender and into the arms of Jones, who scampered in for a touchdown. Justin Tucker went on to kick the game-winning field goal in double overtime over a 38-35 victory. “I eased up. I’m like, ‘he ain’t throwing it,’” Jones later said. “I looked up again and I said, ‘Damn, he threw it.’ I just went and got it. I looked around again like, ‘Is this for real?’” The win sent the Ravens to the AFC championship game, where they beat the New England Patriots, 28-13. That pushed Baltimore to its second Super Bowl appearance. Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photoThe Ravens’ Jacoby Jones returns the opening kickoff of the second half of Super Bowl 47 against the 49ers 108 yards for a touchdown. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Super Bowl star A few weeks after completing the play that sparked the Ravens’ historic playoff run, Jones again rose to the occasion to secure Baltimore’s second Super Bowl championship. Jones caught a 56-yard pass from Flacco in the final minutes of the first half of Super Bowl 47 in his hometown of New Orleans to send the Ravens into halftime with a 21-6 lead. After a delay for a power outage at the Superdome, Jones then returned the second-half opening kickoff 108 yards for a score. It was the longest kickoff return touchdown in Super Bowl and postseason history. Jones’ 290 all-purpose yards remain a Super Bowl record. Tripped by Tomlin Defenders often struggled to tackle Jones in the open field. So Steelers coach Mike Tomlin resorted to a unique — and illegal — way to slow the electric returner. Late in the third quarter of Baltimore and Pittsburgh’s Thanksgiving game in 2013, Jones emerged through blockers and raced down the sideline. Tomlin stood with his back to the play and one foot on the field. It forced Jones inside, where he was tackled and kept from reaching the end zone. Tomlin was fined $100,000 for the penalty, the second largest fine given to a head coach in NFL history. “My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Jacoby Jones during this difficult time. I enjoyed coaching him during his time with the Steelers,” Tomlin posted on X. Jacoby Jones’ 77-yard kickoff return for a score was one of seven fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Ravens’ 29-26 win over the Vikings on Dec. 8, 2013. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Snow game hero Jones scored one of seven fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Ravens’ wild 29-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 8, 2013, his lone kickoff return touchdown of the season. It put the Ravens ahead 21-19 with under two minutes to play, a lead the Vikings erased 26 seconds later. Flacco and the Ravens offense responded by driving down the field in five plays and capped the drive with a touchdown toss to Marlon Brown with four seconds left to win it. Jones added four catches for 37 yards in a game remembered for the wild finish and snowy conditions. Jacoby Jones tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Ravens’ 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Oct. 14, 2012. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Record setter In Week 6 of the 2012 season, Jones tied an NFL record for the longest kick return with a 108-yard touchdown to help beat the Dallas Cowboys, 31-29, for the Ravens’ 14th consecutive regular-season home win. Four weeks later, he returned a kickoff 105 yards for another touchdown, becoming the first player to return two kicks for 105 yards or more in a season. Jones’ four kickoff return touchdowns in his three seasons in Baltimore are the most in team history. Of the four players to field at least 100 kicks, Jones has the highest average yards per return with 30.1. Jacoby Jones competed on Season 16 of “Dancing with the Stars” alongside Karina Smirnoff. (ABC/Adam Taylor) ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Jones’ signature dance was seen in end zones around the NFL. And his moves took him further than the football field. Jones appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2013 and performed some of the moves that made him a fan favorite on the television show. In one episode, he performed alongside partner Karina Smirnoff to the tune of “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida. “All my training that I’ve had, I never had a woman push me like she did,” Jones said. The pair reached the final round of Season 16 of the show but came up just short and finished third. View the full article Quote
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