Former NFL defensive lineman Arthur Jones, who helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII, has died at the age of 39.
According to E! News, Jones’ died on October 3, though the cause has not yet been made public.
Messages of condolence and remembrance have poured in from teammates, coaches, and fans across the sports world.
Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack remembered Jones as both a powerhouse on the field and a mentor off it.
“Arthur Jones was a tremendous player and even better person. He impacted many of our student-athletes, always with a smile and uplifting message,” he said.
Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta described Jones as the kind of teammate who elevated everyone around him.
“Arthur’s presence was a gift. His big, bright smile, infectious energy, and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others. We send our deepest condolences to the Jones family and all who loved Arthur,” DeCosta said to E! News.
Jones is remembered as a champion, mentor, and family man whose impact stretched far beyond the field.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010, playing four seasons before moving to the Indianapolis Colts and later Washington.
During his time in Baltimore, he was part of the team that lifted the Super Bowl XLVII trophy in 2013 — a career highlight that defined his legacy as one of the league’s reliable defensive forces.
A Syracuse University alumnus, Jones was known for his loyalty to his alma mater, frequently mentoring young players and supporting the football program long after his NFL career ended.
He officially retired in 2017.
But athletic excellence ran deep in the Jones family.
His younger brothers, Jon Jones and Chandler Jones, are both household names in sports; Jon as a UFC heavyweight champion, and Chandler as a Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots in 2014.
Jones’s teenage son, Arthur Jones IV, is also following in his father’s footsteps.
The young defensive end, who plays at Christian Brothers Academy, recently received a college football scholarship offer from Syracuse, continuing the family’s football tradition.