Former NFL defensive end Arthur Jones has died at 39.
The “sudden passing” of the New York native and Syracuse University star, who went on to win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, was confirmed by his alma mater on Friday.
“Arthur Jones was a tremendous player and even better person,” Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack said in a statement. “He was someone that brought joy to everyone he encountered. We were fortunate that Arthur continued to support our football program after his playing career. He impacted many of our student-athletes, always with a smile and uplifting message.”
They offered no other information on his death, but confirmed he died Friday morning.
The Ravens similarly mourned Jones in a statement on social media, in which he was remembered as a “kind, courteous and enthusiastic” teammate and friend.
“Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered,” the team wrote. “His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others.”
Born in Rochester and later attending high school in Endicott, Jones joined the Syracuse Orange in 2005, developing into a two-time, First-Team All-Big East defensive tackle and becoming team captain by his final season in 2009.
He in 2010, he was selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the NFL draft. The team went on to win the Super Bowl in 2013 thanks in part to a fumble he recovered.
After four seasons in Baltimore, Jones later played two seasons for the Indianapolis Colts and one with the Washington Redskins before retiring from the NFL in 2018.
In more recent years, Jones lived in Pompey, just south of Syracuse, where he was raising his family.
The Indy Star profiled Jones in 2014, during which the 6-foot-3, 330-pound defender spoke about the joys of raising his then-4-year-old son Art IV and 1-year-old daughter Skylar with his fiancée Sunny.
Art IV is now a sophomore defensive lineman for Christian Brothers Academy in upstate New York, according to Syracuse.com
Jones’ younger brothers are mixed martial arts icon Jon Jones and fellow NFL veteran Chandler Jones, who was a first-round draft pick out of Syracuse and played for the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.
