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Former NFL wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, a former first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection during the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII season, has died at the age of 40, the Baltimore Sun reported on Sunday (July 14).
Jones led the NFL with two kick return touchdowns, while also recording 1,167 yards on 38 kickoff returns during the 2012 regular season and ran back a 108-yard kickoff at the start of the third quarter during the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVIII win against the San Francisco 49ers, the longest in Super Bowl history. The New Orleans native recorded 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns, as well as 2,688 yards and four touchdowns on 276 punt returns and 4,940 yards and five touchdowns on 183 kick returns while playing for four teams in eight seasons.
Jones was hired as the head coach of the American Indoor Football League's Beaumont Renegades in April. Fellow former Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith shared a tribute to his late teammate upon news of his death.
"My brother! I thank God for the memories and your impact on this world," Smith wrote. "You were 1 of 1 ! Your play on the field and jokes will live on forever! We have Momma Jones a Lil Coby’s back for life! This one hurt me man! We are going to miss you! Love you bro!"