“Always lit up a room with dancing and joking,” Texans honor the late Jacoby Jones with a minute’s silence at the Giants game

HOUSTON – The Texans honored the late former wide receiver, kick returner and Super Bowl hero Jacoby Jones with a moment of silence during Saturday’s game against the New York Giants while his son Jacoby Jr. pulled out the Victory Cannon before kickoff at NRG Stadium.

Jones, a former third-round draft pick of the Texans who helped the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl as a Pro Bowl return specialist, died of natural causes in his sleep in his hometown of New Orleans in July. The official autopsy revealed that he died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Jones’ mother, Emily, son and several former teammates attended the ceremony, including Wade Smith, Travis Johnson, Glover Quin, Amobi Okoye, Owen Daniels, Matt Schaub, Chester Pitts, Earl Mitchell, Tim Jamison and Andre Davis.

“It’s a tough moment when you see a guy that young, a former teammate,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a former teammate of Jones. “It’s tough to lose a guy at such a young age, to see his picture up there and to honor him in that moment. Our hearts and prayers are still with wife Emily and Jacoby Jr., who suffered that loss. It’s tough to deal with.”

“For me, it’s especially important when you lose a teammate, a man who was so full of life, a man who always had a smile on his face, who was always lighting up a room, dancing, cracking jokes, whatever. You miss that fun-loving guy. Nobody misses him more than his family, his mother and his son. Our prayers are with them. I’m glad our organization was able to honor him in this way and show this respect and honor to his family today.”

Jones died in his sleep at his New Orleans home on July 14 at the age of 40, three days after his birthday.

When Jones died suddenly, his passing sparked deep emotions and fond memories throughout the NFL.

One of his friends and former teammates shared his fond memories of Jones and expressed his condolences to his mother and son.

“I want to express my sincere condolences to the Jones family,” Ryans said at the start of training camp. “Jacoby was my teammate here for five years. When you talk about a guy that was a fun, loving, caring, great teammate and a dancing machine, he was a fun guy to be around.”

“He just lit up every room he walked into with his great spirit. He will be truly missed. I was very sad when I heard the news of his passing. I’m truly sorry for the family and for all his teammates, for all the lives he touched. Jacoby, I remember, always did a great job, at camps and with kids. He always did an excellent job. He will be missed.”

Ryan’s last personal memory of Jones was when he was honored before the Texans’ playoff loss to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in January.

“He was honored as a Ravens legend, and it was a proud moment for me to see him honored there, by another organization, and to see him do that with his son,” Ryans said. “It was a very special moment. My prayers are with him and I pray for God’s strength and comfort for the family.”

SEE ALSO: Former Texans, Ravens and Super Bowl star wide receiver Jacoby Jones dies

“I loved Jacoby Jones, we all loved him,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “His enthusiasm and love for people were strong. He was a bright light. He was the beloved son of his loving mother, Ms. Emily. They were so close. He was a man of faith.”

“My favorite personal Jacoby moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.”

“He was the best, he loved everybody,” Sam Gordon, owner of the Beaumont Renegades, said in a phone interview with KPRC 2. “I think one of the most important things was that he was a man of God. He prided himself on how much he loved and feared his God. The most important thing to him after football was helping the next person in line. He was the most humble and kind person to anyone who gave him time and needed time from him.”

Jones was known for his speed and playmaking ability as a player and also for his friendly personality off the field. He lived in Missouri City.

“Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I have ever known,” former Texans teammate JJ Watt wrote on social media. “He was always dancing and laughing and always had a smile on his face. He is gone far, far too soon. RIP Jacoby Jones.”

A native of New Orleans, Jones helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2013 and was named first-team All-Pro that season. He returned a kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers for 108 yards, the longest play in Super Bowl history, and became the first player to catch a touchdown and score on a return in the same Super Bowl.

“My brother, you will truly be missed,” Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis wrote on social media. “They can’t take away the memories and hard work you put in on and off the football field. You always gave back and were always a pillar of the community, a Raven for life. I love you JJ.”

Jones finished his career with 203 catches for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns with 7,628 return yards and nine scores on special teams.

Jones played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011 and joined the Ravens as a free agent in 2012 after being released by the Texans. He played three seasons in Baltimore. He later played for the Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring from playing on September 29, 2017, signing a one-day contract with the Ravens to retire as a member of the AFC North franchise.

Jones was hired this year by the Beaumont Renegades, an indoor soccer team, as head coach and offensive coordinator.

“Jacoby was a special football player,” the Renegades said in a statement. “He loved every minute of every game and knew every day was a blessing. But what can be said about Jacoby the football player only scratches the surface of who he was as a man. When you needed someone, he was there. When you called, he answered. When you texted, he returned. It didn’t matter if you were a family member, a close friend, a former coach or teammate, or a player he coached.

“What Jacoby loved to do most was give back and help the next generation of kids achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. He left no one behind and dedicated his time to every young kid and player who asked for it. Our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to his family as they deal with this sudden and tragic loss.”

Jones began coaching as wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Lane College, in 2018. He coached receivers at Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore and tight ends at Morgan State before being hired as receivers coach at Alabama State in 2022.

Jones once competed on the television show Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with Karina Smirnoff and reached the finals before finishing in third place.

Jones was inducted into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame this year and is also in the Lane College Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame at his high school, Marion Abramson in New Orleans.

“My favorite play in football was when Jacoby was in the end zone talking to his mom right before a kickoff return against the Vikings in a blizzard shootout,” Harbaugh said. “Jacoby then ran to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and Click on “Houston”.