Former NFL wide receiver and kick returner Jacoby Jones has died, according to Houston Texans officials who announced his death Sunday.

Jones, whose NFL career ended in 2015 with a brief tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was 40.

No cause of death was immediately confirmed.

“My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Jacoby Jones during this difficult time,” read a message posted to the X account of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “I enjoyed coaching him during his time with the Steelers.”

Jones was a star in the Baltimore Ravens’ victory in Super Bowl XLVII after the 2012 season, scoring a touchdown via receiving and kickoff return in a win against the San Francisco 49ers. His 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history.

But if that wasn’t the game Jones is most known for — especially in Pittsburgh — it was one 10 months later on Thanksgiving in 2013 while playing for the Ravens against the Steelers.

During that game, Jones returned a kickoff 73 yards that led to a field goal in the Ravens’ 22-20 victory. But Jones seemingly would have had a touchdown on the play if not for Tomlin, who was standing on the field of play watching the stadium scoreboard rather than the play in progress. Tomlin pulled his right foot back just in time to avoid colliding with Jones, who shifted to his right and subsequently was caught by Cortez Allen.

he will be remembered for MANY great plays, some of which led the Ravens to win the Super Bowl in New Orleans

but I’ll never forget this potential return TD vs the Steelers when Mike Tomlin blocked his path by stepping on the field https://t.co/4k461DiNrV pic.twitter.com/DONePoFIBd

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 14, 2024

Tomlin was fined $100,000 for the incident.

Two years later, the pair teamed up late in the 2015 season with the Steelers in need of a kick returner. Jones to that point had nine returns for touchdowns over the previous seven seasons. But he lasted only four games with the Steelers, fumbling three times.

A New Orleans native, Jones played five seasons for the Houston Texans and three for the Ravens before a five-game stint with the San Diego Chargers earlier in 2015.

He finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,753 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns along with six kickoff return touchdowns (including playoffs) and four on punts.

Jones was a key part of Baltimore’s “Mile High Miracle” in a playoff game at Denver in January 2013. He caught a 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score. The Ravens eventually won in double overtime.

In the Super Bowl that postseason against San Francisco, Jones caught a 56-yard TD pass from eventual game MVP Joe Flacco. Then he raced 108 yards to the end zone to open the second half and give Baltimore a 28-6 lead. The Ravens held on for a 34-31 victory.

That Super Bowl was played in New Orleans, where Jones grew up.

“My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of joy.”

Jones made the Associated Press All-Pro team as a kick returner for the 2012 season. Shortly after that, he appeared on “Dancing With The Stars.”

“Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around,” former Texans pass-rushing star J.J. Watt said on social media. “Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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