Arthur Jones III, a Rochester native who rose from the city to win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, has died. He was 39 years old.
Syracuse University confirmed Friday that Jones died earlier in the day at his home in Pompey, Onondaga County.
The school and Ravens did not announce a cause of death, but an Onondaga County Sheriff’s spokesperson told Syracuse.com that Jones had a pre-existing heart condition and a pacemaker. His defibrillator went off Friday morning, automatically alerting his doctor. Emergency responders arrived at his home shortly before 11 a.m., but Jones had already died.
The former Syracuse University standout and NFL defensive lineman was part of one of Western New York’s most accomplished athletic families, the older brother of UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones and former New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Chandler Jones.
Jones starred at Syracuse from 2006 to 2009, becoming a two-time first-team All-Big East selection and setting the school record for tackles for loss by an interior lineman (38.5). The Ravens selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He spent four seasons in Baltimore, helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII over San Francisco. Jones recorded a sack of Colin Kaepernick on the play before the power went out at the Superdome and recovered a fumble in the 34-31 victory. He later played for Indianapolis and Washington before retiring after the 2017 season.
Jones recorded 173 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles over 61 career NFL games.
“Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “His bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity continuously uplifted others.”
Roots in Rochester and Central New York
Jones was born on June 3, 1986 in Rochester. His grandparents raised 12 children in their 19th Ward home affectionately known as “Jonesville.”
Jones’ parents, Arthur Jr. and Camille, moved the family to Endicott in 1995 where his father is a pastor, but family ties to Rochester remained strong. Jones Jr.’s 11 siblings stayed in Rochester.
When Arthur’s Ravens met his younger brother Chandler’s Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship Game, more than 30 relatives gathered at “Jonesville” to watch. Arthur recovered a fourth-quarter fumble in the win that sent Baltimore to the Super Bowl.
A two-time New York state wrestling champion in the heavyweight 275-pound division at Union-Endicott High School, Jones went from unheralded prospect to NFL champion and community leader. He remained active in the NFL Alumni Upstate New York Chapter and co-owned a now-closed a fitness and wellness facility that in Fayetteville.
Family legacy and tributes
Jones was the oldest of three athletic brothers whose careers reached the highest levels of professional sports. Chandler became a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end and Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, and Jon “Bones” Jones is a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion. Arthur was frequently spotted at his brother’s UFC fights. A fourth sibling, Carmen, died of a brain tumor at 17.
“Arthur was a tremendous player and an even better person,” Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said. “He brought joy to everyone he encountered and continued to support our football program long after his playing career.”
Syracuse football coach Fran Brown added, “His kindness and personality were a joy to be around. My prayers are with his family, friends, our alumni and everyone who knew him.”
Jones lived in Pompey with his family. His son, Arthur Jones IV, a sophomore defensive lineman at Christian Brothers Academy, received a scholarship offer from Syracuse in June.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Arthur Jones, Rochester native and Super Bowl champion with Ravens, dies at 39
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
