Former NFL kick returner Jacoby Jones died in his sleep at his home in New Orleans last month. The medical examiner has ruled that Jones died of natural causes, according to TMZ Sports.
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease, heart disease caused by long-term high blood pressure, was listed as the cause of death for the 40 year old Jones.
The New Orleans East native came to Division II HBCU Lane College after a season at Southeastern Louisiana in 2003 and was an immediate star in the SIAC, making All-SIAC at wide receiver and returner for all four years.
His HBCU football accolades led to him being selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011 before playing for the Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2014, winning both a Super Bowl and making the Pro Bowl in 2012.
Forever a Raven
Jacoby Jones left an indelible mark on the Baltimore Ravens 2012 Super Bowl run. He was on the receiving end of what is now known as the “Mile High Miracle,” a 70-yard touchdown reception in the final minute of the AFC Divisional game against the Denver Broncos. Jones scored two touchdowns in the Ravens 34-31 win in Super Bowl XLVII. A 108-yard kickoff return touchdown was the longest return in Super Bowl history and the longest in NFL postseason history, and a 56-yard touchdown pass.
After his playing career, Jacoby Jones went into coaching, returning to his HBCU roots by becoming the wide receivers coach at his alma mater Lane College in 2018. Jones also coached at Morgan State University in Baltimore and most recently spent the last two seasons on the sidelines at Alabama State.
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Hall of Famer died in his home on Saturday, July 13, Jones had just turned 40 on July 11.
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