HBCU Legends

Funeral Plans To Honor HBCU Great, NFL Champion Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones' family released his obituary and funeral arrangements.

Kyle T. Mosley

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports / Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

HOUSTON - HBCU legend and Super Bowl XLVII champion Jacoby Jones will be laid to rest in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. His family and NFLPA announced that Jones 'passed away peacefully at his home' in New Orleans, three days after celebrating his 40th birthday.

The funeral will be held at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church on Saturday, July 27, from 10:00 AM CT to 12:00 PM CT.

Jacoby Jones
Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jacoby Jones (13) walks down the sidelines during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

JACOBY JONES OBITUARY

Jacoby Rashi´d Jones, Sr., transitioned this blessed life on Sunday, July 14, 2024, making 40 trips around the sun. He was born in New Orleans, LA to Emily London Jones and the late Robert Lee Jones. A 2012 Superbowl Champion, NFL Pro Bowler, Dancing with the Stars alum, and graduate of Lane College, Jacoby brought tremendous joy to all who knew him. He was the head coach of the Beaumont Renegades, of the Arena Football League. He was recently inducted into the SIAC Hall of Fame. He retired as a Baltimore Raven.

He is famous. Jacoby believed being involved in sports teaches discipline and accountability. He advised kids to play ball instead of watching television. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, Jacoby Rashi´d Jones Jr., and his mother, Emily London Jones. One sister Lakesho Lewis, aunts, Jeanette Larkins (Cantrelle Sr.), Yolanda Lumpkin, Dorothy Jones, Martha Winters, Elver Hill (Larry), Lynn Sanders (McKinley), and Mary Ann Green. Great-aunts, Inez Bailey, Evelyn Jones, and Geraldine Daniels. Uncles, Warren Jefferson (Jacqueline), A J Jones, Terry Winters, and great-uncle Samuel Bailey (Rena). Devoted cousins Cantrelle Jr., and Devin Larkins. Godfather Allen Woods.

Jacoby is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Lee Jones. Great-grandparents Henry and Margaret London. Grandfather John London Sr., grandmother Lottie Winters, aunt/godmother Emily Solomon, uncles Herbert Winters Jr. and John London Jr.

Relatives, friends, and members of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., are invited to a Celebration of Life in honor of Jacoby at 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Franklin Ave. Baptist Church, 8281 I-10 Service Road. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Omega Psi Phi, Inc. at 11:30 AM until 11:50 AM. Interment: Providence Memorial Park Cemetery, 8200 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA. Arrangement by Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125.

Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences to the family.

Jones headlined a group enshrined at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame ceremony in May. Lane College and Marion Abramson High School in New Orleans inducted him into their Hall of Fame.

Jacoby Jones
Jan 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans receiver Jacoby Jones (12) with a Texans logo haircut during the AFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jones was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, where he played for five seasons.

"Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I've ever been around," former Texans teammate J.J. Watt posted on his social media account. "Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon. R.I.P Jacoby Jones."

Jacoby Jones Passes
Jacoby Jones / Credit: ABC13 Houston

During his remarkable 2011-12 season with the Ravens, Jones recorded a 70-yard game-tying touchdown catch in the AFC Divisional playoff game, keeping the team's Super Bowl campaign alive.

A few weeks later, he recorded the longest play in Super Bowl history with a 108-yard kickoff return in Super Bowl XLVII victory. That season, the receiver received his first NFL Pro Bowl selection.

Jones played nine seasons in the NFL for the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers before returning to his alma mater to coach wide receivers for two seasons in 2018. Jones had stints as a coach before his death.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

Home/Football