The Baltimore Ravens took the practice field with heavy hearts on the day late wide receiver Jacoby Jones was laid to rest.
Team staff commemorated Jones during Saturday's practice by donning bandanas and bracelets printed with his No. 12, which were also given to those in attendance.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Saturday's "celebration" of Jones was a fitting tribute to Baltimore's Super Bowl hero.
"We dedicated the practice today to Jacoby Jones because we got a chance to come out here and do what he loved to do so much," the Ravens head coach said. "And it really couldn't have been more fitting then to have almost 50 teams here, youth football teams including girls flag teams here, yelling all practice and you heard 'em. It was pretty loud out there -- had a little substitution issues, I think, because of the crowd noise. That was fun. In honor of Jacoby and his amazing energy and smile and love for the game and love for life, we'll dedicate that effort to him."
Jones died on July 14 at the age of 40. He played just three seasons for the Ravens along a nine-year 国产外流网career, but his contributions during Baltimore's latest Super Bowl run will forever be remembered.
Jones was at the receiving end of the "Mile High Miracle," a season-saving touchdown score in the Divisional Round of the 2012 playoffs. Two games later in Super Bowl XLVII, the speedy wideout furthered his legend in Baltimore with a 56-yard TD score and a 108-yard kickoff return TD -- the longest play in Super Bowl history.
His two TDs were monumental for the Ravens, who went on to win Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers. Jones became the first player in Super Bowl history to score receiving and return TDs in the same game. For Jones, a New Orleans native, having one of the greatest Super Bowl performances in the Superdome made the story all that more sweeter.
Jones' funeral took place Saturday in New Orleans.
