Arthur Jones, a defensive lineman who helped the Baltimore Ravens capture Super Bowl XLVII, died Friday morning at age 39, his alma mater Syracuse University and the Ravens said Friday.
The cause of death was not disclosed by either the university or the NFL team.
Jones spent four seasons with Baltimore after being selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. During his time with the Ravens, from 2010 to 2013, he played a key role in the team’s championship run.
“My heart is heavy today after the loss of Art Jones,” Harbaugh said. “Art was truly a remarkable person. A dedicated teammate, a relentless worker, and someone any coach would be proud to lead. His love for life, generous spirit, and radiant smile left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
Harbaugh said Jones’s impact extended beyond football statistics.
“He had a genuine gift for connecting with people, bringing joy to the locker room and beyond, and his presence was a source of light within our team and the Baltimore community,” Harbaugh said. “Art’s positive energy and infectious enthusiasm made him a beloved part of our organization. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with Art’s family. May his legacy of kindness live on, and may he rest in peace.”
UFC fighter Jon Jones (L) jokes around with his brother defensive end Arthur Jones #97 of the Baltimore Ravens during a news conference at the teams training facility in Owings Mills, Md., on Nov. 13, 2013. Rob Carr/Getty Images
Jones made his mark during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 when Baltimore defeated the San Francisco 49ers. During the championship game, he sacked quarterback Colin Kaepernick right before the power outage at the Superdome in New Orleans. Jones also recovered a fumble during the game.
Throughout his NFL career, Jones accumulated 10 total sacks, with 8.5 coming during a two-year stretch from 2012 to 2013. During his final two seasons in Baltimore, he started 20 games and recorded 100 tackles alongside those 8.5 sacks.
After he left Baltimore, he transferred to the Indianapolis Colts for two seasons before finishing his NFL career with a year in Washington in 2017.
During his college career at Syracuse, Jones set a school record for an interior defensive lineman with 38.5 tackles for loss and earned first-team All-Big East honors three times, in both his junior and senior seasons.
Jones was the older brother of former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chandler Jones, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.
