The Baltimore Ravens will enter GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium with redemption on their minds, as they’ll face the team that denied them a trip to the Super Bowl.
But also on the minds of the visiting team before they face the Kansas City Chiefs — two fallen Ravens they plan to honor.
Details Emerge on Special Decals Ravens Will Wear
The Ravens announced before the game that their helmet will have two special decals. One will honor former player Jacoby Jones, and the other will honor offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris — who both passed away this past offseason.
Jones died unexpectedly on July 14 in his New Orleans home. D’Alessandris lost his life due to what was described by the team as an “acute illness,” which occurred during training camp.
The decals will be in the back of the Ravens’ helmets, with the plan to wear them for the entire season.
They won't be there in-person, but they will be there in spirit.
The Ravens will wear helmet decals honoring Joe D'Alessandris and Jacoby Jones this season. 💜https://t.co/pgKnGNFWum
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 3, 2024
Head coach John Harbaugh revealed the decision to honor both Jones and D’Alessandris with reporters on Tuesday.
“Hopefully those helmet tags of Jacoby Jones and Joe D’Alessandris help to serve as a reminder to all of us that it’s about the people,” Harbaugh said. “It’s about the people in your life that you share this time on Earth with. Treat them right, cherish them, celebrate them, love them, and remember them.”
Who Was Jacoby Jones?
Jones played from 2007 to 2015 in the NFL, but he’s most revered for his work with the Ravens. He’s the wide receiver responsible for the “Mile High Miracle” of the 2012 NFL playoffs in Denver — hauling in the 70-yard touchdown with under a minute left to force overtime against the Broncos.
Jones is also beloved among Ravens fans for scoring twice against the San Francisco 49ers with the Super Bowl on the line.
Throughout his career, Jones caught 203 passes, racked up 2,733 receiving yards, and scored 14 touchdowns. He was also impactful as a return man in tallying 2,688 punt-return yards, 4,940 through kickoff returns, and accumulated 10,428 all-purpose yards.
“I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did,” Harbaugh said when Jones passed. “His spirit, enthusiasm, and love for people were powerful. He was a light.”
Jones died of cardiovascular disease three days before his 41st birthday.
Who Was Joe D’Alessandris?
D’Alessandris coached for 17 NFL seasons, seven of which were in Baltimore. In fact, he started his coaching career with the team the Ravens will square off with to start the 2024 season.
D’Alessandris became a beloved fixture around the AFC North contender, even earning the nickname “Joe D” among players. Center Tyler Linderbaum is one dedicating the TNF contest to his former coach’s memory.
“When you lose one of the best men in this building, it’s certainly hard,” Linderbaum said this week to reporters. “We’re doing this for Joe D.”
Veteran Patrick Mekari is another who’s honoring his late offensive line coach.
“We want to make him proud and keep rolling forward,” Mekari said. “I think that’s what Joe D would want. Keep rolling forward and play hard.”
D’Alessandris was 70 when he passed away. The 2024 season would’ve been his eighth with the Ravens. He’s also had coaching stops with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, plus collegiately with Georgia Tech and Duke.
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