Jacoby Jones' Dancing With The Stars costar Cheryl Burke says she's 'absolutely devastated' by his death at 40: 'You will be deeply missed'

The erstwhile Dancing With The Stars pro Cheryl Burke shared her daze and sorrow connected Sunday aft learning that erstwhile show contestant and NFL subordinate Jacoby Jones had died.

The 40-year-old creation and TV big clarified that Jacoby hadn't been her partner erstwhile he appeared connected DWTS, but their clip together down nan scenes still near her 'absolutely devastated' by his death.

Jones, a wide receiver, died connected Sunday, and his family revealed that it happened 'peacefully astatine his home successful New Orleans.'

'Absolutely devastated by nan nonaccomplishment of my beloved friend and chap #dwts co-star, Jacoby Jones, who passed distant successful his slumber early this morning,' Burke captioned a clip from nan dancing title featuring Jones pinch his creation partner Karina Smirnoff.

It was a trio dance, truthful Burke had joined nan 2 arsenic they lit up nan creation level while flames burst retired connected shape down them.

'While we weren’t creation partners, I had nan grant of sharing unforgettable moments pinch him, from being portion of his trio creation to supporting his cherished foundation,' she continued. 'My bosom aches for Jacoby and his family. My prayers are pinch you all. Rest successful peace, Jacoby. You will beryllium profoundly missed.'

She added nan hashtags '#ripjacoby' and '#gonetoosoon,' while besides posting surgery bosom and dove emojis.

In nan clip, Jones, Burke and Smirnoff were dressed successful matching yellowish to execute nan pasodoble.

The NFL prima appeared connected play 16 of nan long-running creation title bid successful 2013, and he vanished successful an awesome 3rd place.

While Jones' charismatic origin of decease has yet to beryllium revealed, the Super Bowl champion 'passed distant peacefully,' nan NFLPA has revealed successful a connection released connected behalf of his family.

'In a statement, nan Jones family confirmed that Jacoby Jones passed distant peacefully astatine his location successful New Orleans, Louisiana,' publication nan NFLPA statement. 'The family, including his mother, Emily and his son, Little Jacoby, are together and are asking for your prayers, privacy, and support arsenic they navigate done this difficult time.'

Jones, whose 108-yard kickoff return successful 2013 remains nan longest touchdown successful Super Bowl history, played for nan Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers betwixt 2007 and 2015. He is champion remembered for his contributions to nan Ravens en way to Baltimore's Super Bowl XLVII triumph complete nan San Francisco 49ers.

Jones' family besides thanked nan nationalist for nan outpouring of condolences they've received.

'We want to definitive our gratitude for each nan benignant thoughts and support you person shown america during this challenging time,' publication nan family statement. 'Your ongoing support and respecting our privateness intends a batch to us.'

Tributes person poured successful for nan erstwhile wide receiver, who went connected wider fame successful Dancing pinch nan Stars. 

Taking to X, JJ Watt wrote: 'Jacoby was 1 of nan astir fun-loving teammates and group I've ever been around. Always dancing and laughing, pinch a imperishable grin connected his face. Gone far, acold excessively soon.'

Pat McAfee added: 'Jacoby Jones was an absolute legend. He was beloved by virtually everybody he met and lit up each room he walked into.'

Torrey Smith, who won nan Super Bowl pinch Jones successful 2013, said: 'My brother! I convey God for nan memories and your effect connected this world. You were 1 of 1! 

'Your play connected nan section and jokes will unrecorded connected forever! We person Momma Jones [and] Lil Coby's backmost for life! This 1 wounded maine man! We are going to miss you! Love you bro!'

It has been reported that Jones died overnight astatine his location successful New Orleans, conscionable 3 days aft his 40th birthday. He is survived by 1 teenage son, named Coby. 

News of his decease was confirmed soon earlier midday, erstwhile nan NFL tweeted: 'The NFL is heartbroken to perceive of nan passing of Super Bowl champion Jacoby Jones. Our thoughts are pinch his family and loved ones.' 

Ravens caput coach John Harbaugh besides released a statement, which read: 'I loved Jacoby Jones. We each did. 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.' 

Jones grew up successful New Orleans — his location was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina — and he was drafted by nan Houston Texans successful 2007.

He went connected to play 5 seasons successful Houston, earlier moving connected to Baltimore, wherever he won nan Super Bowl successful his first season.

The astir memorable play of his profession came against nan San Francisco 49ers, erstwhile he scored a Super Bowl-record 108-yard footwear return for a touchdown.