Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones, whose 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history, has died at the age of 40.
The Houston Texans, Jones’ team for the first five seasons of his career, announced his death on Sunday.
In a statement released by the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at his home in New Orleans. A cause of death was not given.
Photo: AP
Jones played from 2007 to 2015 for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, and he made several huge plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl title season.
Jones was a key part of Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game at Denver in January 2013. He caught a 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score. The Ravens eventually won in double overtime.
In the Super Bowl that post-season against San Francisco, Jones caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. Then he raced 108 yards to the end zone to open the second half and give Baltimore a 28-6 lead. The Ravens held on for a 34-31 victory.
That Super Bowl was played in New Orleans, where Jones grew up.
“My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the [Minnesota] Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement.
“My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy,” he added.
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