Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh leads tributes to Jacoby Jones after his death at 40: 'He was a light'

Baltimore Ravens caput coach John Harbaugh led nan tributes to erstwhile NFL subordinate Jacoby Jones pursuing nan news of his death. 

On Sunday morning, an charismatic root from nan Ravens confirmed his passing pinch WJZ. The erstwhile wide receiver and footwear returner was 40 years old. 

While nan origin of his decease is yet to beryllium revealed, tributes honoring Jones' life and profession flooded societal media. After coaching him for 3 years successful Baltimore, Harbaugh mourned Jones' decease soon aft nan news surfaced. 

'I loved Jacoby Jones. We each did,' Harbaugh said successful a statement. 'His spirit, enthusiasm and emotion for group were powerful. He was a light. He was nan cherished boy of his loving mom, Ms. Emily. They were truthful close.'

'He was a man of faith. My favourite shot play was erstwhile Jacoby was talking to his mom successful nan extremity zone, conscionable earlier a late-game kickoff return against nan Vikings successful a snowstorm shootout. 

'Jacoby past raced to drawback nan shot and tally it backmost for a touchdown. My favourite Jacoby individual infinitesimal was each clip I saw his smiling look afloat of Joy. Rest successful peace, Jacoby, successful nan arms of Jesus.' 

The New Orleans autochthonal played a pivotal portion successful nan Ravens Super Bowl 47 triumph complete nan San Francisco 49ers successful 2013 - scoring a Super Bowl grounds 108-yard kickoff return. 

'We are wholly heartbroken to study astir nan passing of Jacoby Jones,' nan Ravens squad connection read. 'Jacoby had nan unsocial expertise to link pinch everyone he encountered. His charisma, joyousness and emotion created a one-of-a-kind beingness that could ray up immoderate room aliases brighten immoderate acheronian day.

'Jacoby will agelong beryllium remembered not conscionable for his occurrence connected nan shot field, but for nan lasting individual connections he made pinch countless group successful nan Ravens organization, Baltimore organization and each area he called home. We stock our deepest condolences pinch Jacoby's family arsenic we each statesman to process this devastating loss.' 

Jones played for nan Houston Texans from 2007-2011 earlier joining nan Ravens. From there, he would person short stints pinch nan San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Monterey Steel successful nan National Arena League. 

'We are profoundly saddened to perceive astir nan passing of Jacoby Jones,' nan Texans wrote successful their statement. 'Our thoughts and prayers are pinch his family astatine this difficult time.'

'Jacoby was 1 of nan astir fun-loving teammates and group I've ever been around,' wrote JJ Watt, who joined Jones successful Houston earlier his departure. 'Always dancing and laughing, pinch a imperishable grin connected his face. Gone far, acold excessively soon. R.I.P Jacoby Jones.'

'Jacoby Jones was an absolute legend,' said ESPN's Pat McAfee. 'He was beloved by virtually everybody he met and lit up each room/field he walked into/onto. Rest easy my brother.. we will miss your presence.'

With 5 First-Team All-Pro honors and 5 Pro Bowl selections, Jones lead nan NFL successful sacks for 2 seasons and was crowned nan Defensive Player of nan Year connected 3 occasions. Jones vanished his profession pinch 586 full tackles, 114.5 sacks, 70 walk deflections, 27 forced fumbles, and 17 recoveries. 

After retiring successful 2017, Jones served arsenic a tight ends coach astatine Morgan State University.