Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Arthur Jones (97) against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Announce Death of Former Syracuse Defensive Lineman at 39

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ajayi Olamilekan | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 9:33 PM ET

Arthur Jones, the defensive tackle who left an enduring mark on Syracuse football before winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, died on Friday. He was 39 years old.

The Ravens confirmed his death through a statement posted on social media a few hours ago, though the cause of his death was not disclosed. Jones spent four seasons with Baltimore after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, a tenure that ended in a championship ring when the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

His career spanned eight years in professional football, with additional stops in Indianapolis and Washington before his retirement.

At Syracuse, he was one of the program’s most disruptive interior defensive linemen during a period when the Orange struggled to find consistent success on the field. Having 38.5 career tackles for loss, which still remains the highest total in the school history for an interior defensive lineman and ranks third overall in the program records.

Former Syracuse defensive lineman Arthur Jones died at age 39, the Baltimore Ravens announced in a press release Friday. Jones played with the Orange from 2005-09, recording 38.5 career tackles for loss and 145 tackles.https://t.co/tbhKoKePOg

— Daily Orange Sports (@DOsports) October 3, 2025

He arrived in Syracuse from Union-Endicott High School in upstate New York, where he had been a two-time state wrestling champion. By his sophomore season in 2007, he had developed into an All-Big East performer despite missing the final three games with an injury that cut short what could have been an even more productive year for him.

His presence gave Syracuse a legitimate NFL prospect at a time when the program desperately needed them, and scouts took notice despite the team’s record.

Baltimore selected him with the 157th overall pick, and he made an immediate impact on a Ravens defense. According to the statement released by Baltimore Ravens’, on X (formerly Twitter): “We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing.”

Jones finished his professional career with 173 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles across 64 games.
The news of his death comes during a difficult week for Syracuse athletics. Lawrence Moten, the university’s all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball, died on Tuesday at 53, leaving the Syracuse community processing an unexpected double blow.

Jones played at Syracuse alongside his brother Chandler, who would go on to a lengthy NFL career as an edge rusher.

His death at 39 leaves questions unanswered and a career remembered not for its length but for moments of impact.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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