Former NFL defensive lineman Arthur Jones died suddenly at his home in Pompey, New York on Friday morning, October 3, 2025, at the age of 39. The Baltimore Ravens announced the death of their former Super Bowl XLVII champion, sending shockwaves through the football community.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Jones’ home in Onondaga County around 11 a.m. after his implanted defibrillator activated and automatically alerted his doctor. Despite the quick response, Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to reports, Jones had been living with a pre-existing heart condition and relied on an implanted pacemaker and defibrillator. The cause of death has been confirmed as heart-related complications stemming from his known medical condition.
Jones was the older brother of UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones and former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Chandler Jones, making him part of one of the most accomplished athletic families in professional sports. The Rochester native moved to Endicott, New York with his family in 1995, where his father serves as a pastor.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta described Jones as “a gift to everyone he encountered.” DeCosta praised Jones’ positive impact on teammates and the organization, noting his infectious energy and unwavering enthusiasm for family and friends.
At Union-Endicott High School, Jones established himself as an elite athlete, earning first-team Class AA all-state football honors in 2003 and 2004. He also dominated on the wrestling mat, capturing two New York state heavyweight championships in the 275-pound division during his sophomore and senior seasons.
Jones continued his football career at Syracuse University from 2006 to 2009, where he developed into a two-time first-team All-Big East selection. He set the school record for tackles for loss by an interior lineman with 38.5 career tackles for loss and served as team captain during his senior season.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Jones in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the organization and played a crucial role in their Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. During that championship game, Jones recorded a sack of quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the play before the power outage at the Superdome and recovered a fumble in the 34-31 victory.
Following his time in Baltimore, Jones played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2014 to 2016 and finished his career with the Washington Commanders in 2017. Over his seven-year NFL career, he appeared in 61 games with 31 starts, recording 173 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack reflected on Jones’ character, indicating that he brought joy to everyone he encountered and continued supporting the football program long after his playing days ended. Head coach Fran Brown emphasized Jones’ kindness and personality, describing his interactions with the former player over the past two years.
The Jones family has experienced both tremendous athletic success and profound loss. A fourth sibling, Carmen, died of a brain tumor at age 17. Arthur was frequently seen supporting his brother Jon at UFC events throughout his mixed martial arts career.
Jones remained active in the NFL Alumni Upstate New York Chapter after retirement and co-owned a fitness and wellness facility in Fayetteville, New York that has since closed. He was raising his family in Pompey, where his son Arthur Jones IV currently plays as a sophomore defensive lineman for Christian Brothers Academy. The younger Jones received a scholarship offer from Syracuse University in June.
Former Ravens teammates and coaches shared their condolences across social media platforms, with several players including Torrey Smith, Haloti Ngata and Darius Butler expressing their grief. Former coach Chuck Pagano honored Jones, expressing gratitude for their friendship during their time together.
The Union-Endicott Central School District held a moment of silence before their homecoming football game on October 4, 2025, honoring their former standout athlete. The district described Jones as one of their most accomplished student-athletes in school history.
