On May 1, 2012 Jacoby Jones started looking for a new team after he was released by the Houston Texans. On Feb. 3, 2013, he was celebrating a Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens. A lot can change in nine months.
Super Bowl XLVII: Jacoby Jones comes up big in Ravens win
Jacoby Jones contributed with the two longest plays in Super Bowl XLVII, helping fuel the Ravens to victory with his explosive style. Here’s a look at his performance.
Ezra Shaw
The regular season displayed basically what we’ve come to expect from Jones. He finished with 30 receptions for 406 yards and a single score, while making his biggest contribution in the return game, taking back three kicks for touchdowns in 16 games.
Jones was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl as a kick returner, his first ever selection. Of course he wasn’t able to go because he had more important events to worry about, but the honor was his, and it won’t be forgotten.
When Super Bowl XLVII rolled around, everyone constantly discussed Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Ray Lewis, you know, the usual impact players for the Ravens. It's hard to imagine anyone predicting Jones to score over a third of Baltimore's points on the toughest stage in football.
Of course, Jones did just that. Two huge plays sealed the deal for the Ravens and put Jones into a special place in NFL history. He only caught one pass throughout the night, but that reception resulted in a 56-yard touchdown to give Baltimore a 21-3 lead late in the second quarter. Jones caught the pass as he was falling down, then proceeded to get up untouched and beat a few 49ers defenders in a foot race to the end zone. You'll surely see that play on the highlight reel for years to come.
How would he follow up that act? Simply by returning the opening kickoff in the second half 108 yards to the house, marking the longest in Super Bowl history. Not a bad way to start the third quarter.
Jones finished with 234 total return yards on Sunday night to go along with his 56-yard reception. Joe Flacco may have taken home the MVP trophy, but everyone around the Ravens franchise should take a moment out to thank Jones for the two home runs he hit against the 49ers. Surely he doesn’t mind his departure from Houston so much at this point in his career.
For more on the Ravens, be sure to check out Baltimore Beatdown.
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