NFL legend JJ Watt has paid an emotional tribute to his former Houston Texans teammate and Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl hero Jacoby Jones following the 40-year-old's tragic death .
Jones tragically died overnight in his sleep at his suburban Houston home. The wide receiver was a third-round NFL Draft pick by the Texans in 2007, where he spent five seasons.
Watt played one season with Jones in 2011 - but the impression he left has been made clear by the former NFL defense superstar. "Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around," Watt said on X. "Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon. R.I.P Jacoby Jones."
A statement from the NFLPA later confirmed that Jones passed away overnight. It read: "The Jones family confirmed that Jacoby Hones passed away peacefully in his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. The family, including his mother, Emily and his son, Little Jacobym are together and are asking for your prayers, privacy and support as they navigate through this difficult time
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After leaving the Texans at the end of the 2011 NFL season, Jones joined the Ravens, where he enjoyed a Super Bowl-winning campaign in his debut campaign. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against the San Francisco 49ers, returning a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown - the longest play in Super Bowl history.
Jones spent three seasons in Baltimore before playing his final season in the NFL at the San Diego Chargers and then the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. He did have a spell at Monterrey Steel, a professional indoor football team, in 2017.
Tributes from across the football world are pouring in, with ex-Ravens teammate Torrey Smith tweeting: "My brother! I thank God for the memories and your impact on this world. You were 1 of 1! Your play on the field and jokes will live on forever! We have Momma Jones a Lil Coby’s back for life! This one hurt me man! We are going to miss you! Love you bro!"
"Jacoby Jones was an absolute legend," Pat McAfee said. "He was beloved by literally everybody he met and lit up every room/field he walked into/onto. Rest easy my brother.. we will miss your presence."
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The New Orleans native finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns with 7,628 return yards and nine scores on special teams and had since moved into coaching. Jones was the wide receiver coach for his beloved Lane Dragons in 2018.
He also had coaching spells at Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore and Morgan State, before being hired in 2022 by Alabama State. Jones was hired by indoor team Beaumont Renegades this year.
“He was the best, he loved everyone,” Sam Gordon, owner of the Renegades, told KPRC 2 . “I think one of the most important things is he was a man of God. He was proud of how much he loved and feared his God. What was most important to him after football was helping the next person in line. He was the most humble and kind person to anybody who gave him the time and needed the time from him.”
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