The Ravens head into the 2024 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations yet again. Baltimore finished with the best record in football last season and made it to the AFC Championship before falling to Kansas City.
If that wasn't enough motivation for this year, the Ravens have a couple extra reasons to give it their all on Sundays in the fall.
The Baltimore club lost two prominent members of the organization in the last two months with the deaths of former wide receiver Jacoby Jones and offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris.
Jones spent three seasons with the Ravens and helped the team win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 against the 49ers. His 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against San Francisco marks the longest play in Super Bowl history. He also had a receiving TD in that championship, becoming the first player to catch a TD and score on a return in the same Super Bowl.
D'Alessandris had been the team's offensive line coach since 2017. Less than a month ago, he was preparing for the upcoming season with the team, however, he unfortunately won't be on the sidelines this fall.
As a result of the passings, the Ravens are adding a special helmet decal to their uniforms for the 2024 season, keeping Jones and D'Alessandris with them in spirit.
Here is more to know about the Ravens' helmet decals.
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Ravens helmet decal, explained
The Ravens officially announced on Sept. 3 that the team will be wearing special decals on their helmets in honor of Jacoby Jones and Joe D'Alessandris.
The sticker, which will be located on the back of the helmet, is in the shape of a shield with "Joe D." at the top and "Jacoby 12" on the bottom.
"Hopefully those helmet tags of Jacoby Jones and Joe D'Alessandris help to serve as a reminder to all of us that it's about the people," head coach John Harbaugh said. "It's about the people in your life that you share this time on Earth with. Treat them right, cherish them, celebrate them, love them and remember them."
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What happened to Jacoby Jones?
Jones died in his sleep on July 14, 2024, in his native city of New Orleans, LA. He was 40 years old.
While the cause of death was not initially known, it was later revealed by the medical examiner that he passed away from natural causes , citing "hypertensive cardiovascular disease" as his cause of death.
"We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones," Harbaugh said in a statement at the time of Jones' death. "Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day.
"Jacoby will long be remembered not just for his success on the football field, but for the lasting personal connections he made with countless people in the Ravens organization, Baltimore community and every area he called home. We share our deepest condolences with Jacoby's family as we all begin to process this devastating loss."
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What happened to Joe D'Alessandris?
D'Alessandris died on Aug. 25, less than two weeks before the Ravens' 2024 season opener. He was 70 years old.
Prior to his passing, he was hospitalized with "an acute illness that was going to require ongoing treatment for an extended period of time," according to the Ravens. The offensive line coach has undergone surgery in the offseason but experienced complications from the operation.
"Coach 'Joe D.' was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better," Harbaugh said in a statement at the time of D'Alessandris' death . "He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him.
"I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because 'Joe D.' was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless 'Joe D.' forever."
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