Dec 19, 2010; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) catches a pass against Tennessee Titans corner back Jason McCoutrty (30) during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Texans 31-17. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports / Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports.
The news of former Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones’s death in his sleep on Sunday morning at the age of 40 in his Houston home has surprised and saddened the Tennessee Titans.
Jones rose to prominence at Division II Lane College and was selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Jones faced the Titans nine times during his Texans tenure, going 4-5 versus Tennessee in those games. During his career, he has 19 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown versus the Titans.
Although Jones played his first five seasons in Houston, his NFL fame truly took off in 2012 during his rookie campaign with the Baltimore Ravens. He was a member of one of the NFL’s top receiving tandems with Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.
With less than a minute remaining in the team’s Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos, Jones scored a 70-yard touchdown to equalise the score. The Ravens went on to win the game on a double overtime field goal.
After overcoming Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship, the Ravens made it to the Super Bowl.
Jones made NFL history by becoming the first player to score touchdowns in both the receiving and return phases in the same game during Super Bowl XLVII. His 108-yard return to start the second half eclipsed his 30-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. In Super Bowl history, that play continues to be the longest return, play, and touchdown. Jones’s native state of Louisiana saw him win his first and only Super Bowl thanks to his efforts.
In 2015, Jones’ last season in the NFL, he spent two more seasons with the Ravens before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers.
Jones went back to his alma institution to work as a wide receivers coach after finishing his playing career. He was just appointed offensive coordinator and head coach of the Texas indoor football team Beaumont Renegades.
Jones will be greatly missed by the NFL community, but he left a lasting impact both on and off the pitch.
Leave a Reply