Cheryl Burke is mourning the loss of former NFL wide receiver and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Jacoby Jones, who passed away at the age of 40. The NFL Players Association and the Baltimore Ravens confirmed the athlete’s death on Sunday, July 14, stating he “passed away peacefully at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana.”
Although Burke, 40, was not partnered with Jones during his time on “DWTS” in 2013, she shared fond memories of their time together on the show. Burke joined Jones and his dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, in a memorable trio performance of the paso doble.
On Sunday, Burke shared a clip of the trio’s performance on Instagram, expressing her sorrow. “Absolutely devastated by the loss of my dear friend and fellow #DWTS co-star, Jacoby Jones, who passed away in his sleep early this morning,” she wrote.
The Baltimore Ravens also released a heartfelt statement on their website, expressing their grief. “We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the statement read. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy, and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day.”
Jones played a crucial role in the Ravens’ second Super Bowl win in 2013. During the game against the San Francisco 49ers, he made history by becoming the first player to score both a receiving touchdown and a return touchdown in the same Super Bowl game.
“Jacoby will long be remembered not just for his success on the football field but for the lasting personal connections he made with countless people in the Ravens organization, Baltimore community, and every area he called home,” the Ravens’ statement continued. “We share our deepest condolences with Jacoby’s family as we all begin to process this devastating loss.”
Jones, who signed with the Ravens in 2012 after playing five years with the Houston Texans, also had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the then-San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) during his nine-year NFL career.
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