Former Houston Texans wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens star Jacoby Jones dies at 40, ESPN reports

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Jacoby Jones, an NFL wide receiver who played his first five seasons with the Houston Texans, has died at the age of 40.

The former New Orleans native was drafted 73rd overall in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft after completing his undergraduate career at Lane College.

Jones spent his career in Houston until 2012, when the Texans finally released him. A week later, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl that year, where he had two of the most memorable moments of the 2012 NFL playoffs.

You may remember: Jones caught a 70-yard touchdown in an AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos and scored a 108-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII, one of the longest in NFL history, against the San Francisco 49ers.

Several players and organizations expressed sadness at the news of Jones’ passing.

The Houston Texans sent a message on the platform, offering their condolences to the Super Bowl champion and former player:

Former Texans star JJ Watt said in a message that his former teammate was “fun” and a pleasure to be around.

Jones’ last team, the Ravens, expressed condolences to their former player and heartfelt words from head coach John Harbaugh.

No cause of death has been announced at this time.

According to ESPN, Jones was the wide receivers coach at Alabama State for the past two seasons and has been hired as the head coach of the Beaumont Renegades, an arena football franchise set to begin play in 2025.