Former Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones dies at 40

Beloved former Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones has sadly passed away at the age of 40.

Jones was a third-round draft pick in 2007 by the Texans after attending HBCU Lane College. Throughout his four-year college career, Jones was an All-SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) player as a WR and return specialist — accomplishments that ultimately earned him induction into the 2024 SIAC Hall of Fame just four days ago in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jones spent the early parts of his NFL career in Houston from 2007-11, catching 127 passes for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns, but he made his real impact as a return specialist, returning kickoffs and punts for four total touchdowns.

Jones’ playmaking abilities eventually led him to play for the Baltimore Ravens, where he is best remembered as the first player in NFL history to score a receiving and returning touchdown in the same championship game during Super Bowl XLVII—the 108-yard return touchdown still stands as the longest play in Super Bowl or playoff history.

Off the field, Jones was a high-profile figure who created relationships that would last a lifetime. His playmaking abilities, football IQ, and the aforementioned relationships also helped Jones recently be named head coach/offensive coordinator of the Beaumont Renegades, an expansion organization in the National Arena League (NAL), in the spring of 2025.

A life that ended too soon for a man who had just begun the second chapter of his life. Jones will be missed throughout the league and former teammates, current players, coaches and friends joined us to express their condolences while remembering Jones’ greatness.

Jacoby died in his sleep just days after his 40th birthday. The direct cause of his death remains unknown to this day.

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