Jacoby Jones, a Baltimore Ravens ' Super Bowl star who was known for the "Mile High Miracle" and his jovial antics, has died at the age of 40. The cause of Jones' death was not immediately available. "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," the Ravens said in a statement Sunday. A nine-year NFL veteran, Jones etched himself in NFL history during the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl run, scoring three postseason touchdowns in the most dramatic fashion. Jones' most memorable catch, the "Mile High Miracle," came on a high-arcing 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in an AFC divisional playoff game in January 2013.
With Baltimore trailing 35-28 in Denver, Jones got behind safety Rahim Moore for the game-tying touchdown. "When I ran in the end zone, it was quiet. You heard rat piss on cotton," Jones told ESPN on the 10-year anniversary of the catch.
"I'm like, this ain't real." Then, in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers , Jones became the first player to score a receiving touchdown and a return touchdown in the same game in Super Bowl history. His 108-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half is the longest scoring play in the history of the Super Bowl.
The game was played in New Orleans, his hometown. "I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did," Ravens coach John Harbau.