Ravens Insider: Arthur Jones, former Ravens lineman and Super Bowl champion, dies at 39

[ExtremeRavens]

Former Ravens defensive tackle Arthur Jones has died, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Jones, 39, played for Baltimore from 2010 to 2013 and was a key part of their Super Bowl 47 championship team. He had a third-quarter sack on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick just before the lights went out at the Superdome in New Orleans and recovered a fumble in the second quarter of the 34-31 victory.

He was also popular in the locker room and active in the Baltimore community.

“We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered. His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others. He was kind, courteous and enthusiastic — always displaying a love for family, teammates and friends.”

No cause of death was announced.

Baltimore drafted Jones in the fifth round out of Syracuse in 2010. In his second season, he appeared in 14 games (one start) and made 20 tackles. The following year, he played in all 16 games, starting six, and notched 4 1/2 sacks to go with 47 tackles and a forced fumble.

In 2013, he had four sacks along with 53 tackles in 14 games (13 starts) and that offseason signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. But injuries and other issues quickly derailed his career in Indianapolis.

Jones missed all of 2015 with an ankle injury. He was then suspended for the first four games of 2016 after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Upon his return, Jones started eight straight games before being placed on injured reserve again, this time with a groin injury.

The Colts released him in March 2017 and he signed with Washington in November of that year but was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury 10 days later. Jones announced his retirement at the end of that season.

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A native of Rochester, New York, Jones finished his career with 10 sacks, 173 tackles and two forced fumbles in 64 games (31 starts) across seven seasons.

Jones is the older brother of former UFC star Jon Jones and former NFL defensive end Chandler Jones, who played for the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. Their older sister, Carmen, was diagnosed with brain cancer and died at age 17 in 2000 when Arthur was in eighth grade.

His son Arthur Jones IV, a defensive lineman in the 2028 recruiting class from Christian Brothers Academy in New York, recently received his first scholarship offer from Syracuse.

This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.

Rob Carr, Getty Images
UFC fighter Jon Jones (left) jokes around with his brother, Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones, during a news conference.

Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Vonta Leach and Arthur Jones walk off the Paul Brown Stadium field after the Ravens' win.

Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun
The Ravens appear resigned to the fact that defensive lineman Arthur Jones will cost too much in free agency for them to bring him back.

Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam
Arthur Jones celebrates on the sideline as the Ravens' beat the Patriots.

Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun
From left to right, Ravens defenders Corey Graham, Elvis Dumervil and Arthur Jones prepare for a play against the New York Jets.

Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun
The entire defense played with a lot of intensity. Haloti Ngata and Arthur Jones, pictured, were dominant up front for three quarters and got solid relief from backup Pernell McPhee. End Chris Canty has a presence sometimes, but there are times when he disappears. The Ravens have to get more pressure with their front four, and this group wore down in the fourth quarter. Grade C

Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones talks to teammates on the sideline after he sacked Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton in the fourth quarter.

Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones, top, celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter.

Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones, center, celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, in the first quarter.

Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones, left, celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter.

Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones arrives at training camp.

Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun
Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones talks with news media after second day of work out during mandatory minicamp.

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Rob Carr, Getty Images

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UFC fighter Jon Jones (left) jokes around with his brother, Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones, during a news conference.

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