Another devastating loss as former Syracuse football great Arthur Jones passes away

A truly heartbreaking week for Syracuse Orange Nation. Word came out on Friday that former Syracuse football star player Arthur Jones has tragically passed away at the way-too-young age of 39.

This is devastating. Earlier this week, Syracuse basketball legend Lawrence Moten, the program's all-time career leading scorer, died as well. He was 53. Also, last month, former Syracuse women's basketball star guard Tiana Mangakahia passed away at the age of 30.

I'm sending love to all my brothers and sisters in Orange Nation. Hug your loved ones. Life is precious.

Jones was a terrific player for Syracuse football from 2005 until 2009. He then had an eight-year career in the NFL, and he won a world title with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII by a final score of 34–31. In that win for Baltimore, the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Jones tallied a sack and a fumble recovery.

Syracuse University is my alma mater, and I spend most of my time these days near Baltimore. The Ravens are my hometown football team, so this hits close to home for me.

"My heart is heavy today after the loss of Art Jones," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a prepared statement. "Art was truly a remarkable person. A dedicated teammate, a relentless worker, and someone any coach would be proud to lead. His love for life, generous spirit, and radiant smile left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him."

Arthur Jones had a tremendous Syracuse football career.

Jones grew up in Endicott, N.Y., near Binghamton. He was an Orange team captain as a senior. The defensive lineman collected 146 total tackles in college, which was in the top 10 in program history for a player at defensive lineman when he wrapped up his tenure on the Hill.

Jones' 38.5 career tackles for a loss are the most in Syracuse football history by an interior defensive lineman and No. 3 overall. He was a three-time All-Big East Conference selection, and Jones earned first-honors as both a junior and a senior.

"Arthur Jones was a tremendous player and even better person," Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack said in a written statement. "He was someone that brought joy to everyone he encountered."

Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown echoed that, saying in part, "I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Arthur Jones. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know him over the past two years. His kindness and personality were a joy to be around."

Jones is the older brother of Jon Jones, a former UFC heavyweight champion, and former Syracuse football standout defensive end Chandler Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

My thoughts and prayers are with Arthur Jones' family and loved ones as well as the Syracuse Orange and Baltimore Ravens communities.