Jacoby Jones, a star of Baltimore’s last Super Bowl, has died at age 40

BALTIMORE (AP) — Former NFL wide receiver Jacoby Jones, whose 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history, has died. He was 40.

The Houston Texans, Jones’ team for the first five seasons of his career, announced his death Sunday. A declaration According to information released by the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at his home in New Orleans. The cause of death was not specified.

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 final Super Bowl title season.

Jones played a key role in Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game at Denver in January 2013. He caught a 70 yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the score. The Ravens eventually won in double overtime.

In that season’s Super Bowl against San Francisco, Jones caught a 56-yard TD pass from eventual game MVP Joe Flacco. he ran 108 meters The Ravens then opened the second half and gave Baltimore a 28-6 lead. The Ravens held on for a 34-31 victory.

This Super Bowl was held in New Orleans, where Jones grew up.

“My favorite football moment was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone just before a late kickoff return against the Vikings in a shootout in the snowstorm. Jacoby then ran to catch the ball and ran it back for a touchdown,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “My personal favorite Jacoby moment was every time I saw his face smiling and full of joy.”

Jones was selected to the Associated Press All-Pro team as a kick returner for the 2012 season. Shortly after, he appeared on “Dancing with the Stars.”

“Jacoby was one of the funniest teammates and people I’ve ever been around,” former Texans star pass rusher JJ Watt said on social media. “He was always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. He’s gone way too soon.”

In April, Jones became coach of the Beaumont Renegades, an American football team in Texas.

“What can be said about him as a football player only scratches the surface of who he was as a man,” the Renegades said in a statement. “When you needed something, he was there. When you called, he answered. It didn’t matter if you were a family member, a close friend, a player he coached, etc.”

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AP sports writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.

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