The Baltimore Ravens are looking to get back to the Super Bowl, and the organization will be motivated by the passing of two key franchise members.
Legendary Ravens Jacoby Jones and Joe D’Alessandris passed away this summer, and on Sunday, the team honored both before the matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
D’Alessandris was hospitalized about 11 days ago and diagnosed with an acute illness. A 45-year coaching veteran, D’Alessandris had entered his eighth season as Baltimore’s offensive line coach. The Ravens hired George Warhop as interim coach. Warhop has 40 years of coaching experience, including 27 years in the NFL.
A New Orleans native, Jones was named first-team All-Pro in 2013 and helped Baltimore defeat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers for the longest play in Super Bowl history. He also became the first player to catch a touchdown and score on a return in the same Super Bowl.
Jones finished his career with 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns with 7,628 return yards and nine scores on special teams.
Jones played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011 before signing with the Ravens as a free agent after being released by the Texans in 2012, playing in Baltimore for three seasons.
