The Jones family is reeling from a devastating blow that nobody saw coming.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones just lost his older brother in the most heartbreaking way possible.
And the sudden death of Super Bowl champion Arthur Jones has left the sports world stunned and searching for answers.
Super Bowl hero dies suddenly at just 39 years old
Arthur Jones – the Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle who helped deliver the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship – died unexpectedly on Friday morning, October 3, 2025, at his home in Pompey, New York.¹
He was only 39 years old.
Emergency Medical Services got the call around 11 a.m. when Jones’s pacemaker went off and automatically contacted his doctor.²
By the time they made it to his house, it was over.
The former NFL star had reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, likely related to a pre-existing heart condition that had required the pacemaker.
Arthur was the older brother of both UFC legend Jon Jones and former New England Patriots linebacker Chandler Jones – making this tragedy a crushing blow to one of sports’ most accomplished families.
From fifth-round pick to Super Bowl champion
Arthur Jones carved out his legacy during four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.³
But it was his performance in Super Bowl XLVII that Ravens fans will never forget.
Jones sacked quarterback Colin Kaepernick just moments before the infamous power outage hit the New Orleans Superdome, and he also recovered a fumble during the Ravens’ 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.⁴
That Super Bowl run wasn’t just about individual glory – it was about a defense that played with the kind of heart and determination that Arthur Jones embodied every single day.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta captured what made Arthur special in his emotional statement following the news.
"Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered," DeCosta said. "His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others."⁵
The numbers tell only part of Arthur’s story
Over four seasons in Baltimore from 2010-2013, Arthur Jones started 20 games and recorded 173 tackles with 8½ sacks.⁶
His most productive seasons came in 2012 and 2013, when he posted his highest sack numbers during the Ravens’ championship run.
But here’s what the statistics don’t show – Arthur was the kind of teammate who made everyone around him better simply by showing up to work every day.
After leaving Baltimore, Jones signed with the Indianapolis Colts where he played from 2014-2016, and later spent one season with Washington in 2017 before retiring.⁷
Injuries limited his effectiveness during those final years, but he finished his seven-year NFL career with 173 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 64 games.
https://twitter.com/unhealthytruth/status/1975193024826347597
Look, this tragedy exposes something nobody wants to talk about
The sudden death of a 39-year-old professional athlete – someone who was supposed to be in peak physical condition – raises uncomfortable questions that go far beyond football.
Arthur Jones needed a pacemaker for a pre-existing heart condition, which means his body was already fighting battles most people never knew about.
Here’s what should make every parent of a young athlete think twice: the human cost of professional sports goes way beyond what we see on game day.
These guys sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment, and sometimes the damage doesn’t show up until years later.
The Jones family now has to bury a son, brother, and father who should have had decades of life ahead of him.
For Jon Jones – who’s built a career around being one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history – this has to be the kind of loss that puts everything else in perspective.
No championship belt, no record, no amount of fame can prepare you for losing your big brother at 39.
And for sports fans who remember Arthur’s Super Bowl heroics, this serves as a stark reminder that behind every highlight reel is a real person with a family who loved him.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh summed it up perfectly in his tribute: "Art was truly a remarkable person. A dedicated teammate, a relentless worker, and someone any coach would be proud to lead."⁸
Arthur Jones wasn’t some first-round superstar or household name that everyone recognized walking down the street.
But ask anyone who played with him – the guy made a difference.
¹ Baltimore Ravens, "Ravens Mourn the Passing of Arthur Jones," Official Team Website, October 3, 2025.
² Steve Infanti, NewsChannel 9, "Onondaga County Sheriff’s spokesperson: Arthur Jones’ pacemaker went off; EMS responded just before 11 a.m.," WSYR-TV, October 3, 2025.
³ ESPN, "Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39," October 3, 2025.
⁴ Yahoo Sports, "Former Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones, brother of Jon Jones and Chandler Jones, dies at 39," October 3, 2025.
⁵ Eric DeCosta, "Statement on Arthur Jones," Baltimore Ravens Press Release, October 3, 2025.
⁶ CBS Sports, "Arthur Jones dies at 39: Former Super Bowl winning defensive tackle for Baltimore Ravens passes away," October 3, 2025.
⁷ NBC Sports, "Former NFL player Arthur Jones dies at 39," October 3, 2025.
⁸ John Harbaugh, "Statement on Arthur Jones," ESPN, October 3, 2025.
