From Lane College –
The Lane College community mourns the passing of Lane man Jacoby Jones. Jones, a 2009 graduate of Lane College, became a 4-time All SIAC player his freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years, before being drafted into the NFL by the Houston Texans. Jacoby became known for one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history with a 108 yard kickoff return to seal the Super Bowl for the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
We offer prayer and condolences to his family and his Lane College classmates and friends.
Jacoby Jones, who made quite a name for himself at Lane College in the historically black Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and in the NFL, has passed away.
He was 40.
As a senior at Lane, Jones was selected as the conference offensive player of the year and most valuable player. He led the SIAC in receiving yards per game (74.7), receptions per game (6.18), receiving touchdowns (6), all-purpose yards (189.9) and punt return average (13.8). He returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns, and finished second in the conference in scoring with 10 TDs. He also had 68 receptions for 822 yards, helping the Dragons finish with an 8-3 record.
A wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL), he was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011.
Jones then played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2014, and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2012. He is known for two of the most memorable plays in the 2012 NFL playoffs as a member of the Ravens: catching a 70-yard game-tying touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, which helped lead the Ravens to an eventual 38–35 double overtime victory; and a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers, the longest play in Super Bowl history.
He also played for the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and the Monterrey Steel of the National Arena League in 2017.
