Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A San Francisco 49ers helmet sits on the team bench during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Former 49ers Linebacker Found Dead At 49 Years Old - Breaking News 1
The San Francisco 49ers learned that one of their former players has tragically passed away at the age of 49. The news surfaced over the last 24 hours and has immediately made national headlines.
Here are the heartbreaking details.
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49ers helmet
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Toya Jones died on Thursday, October 22, at the age of 49, according to reports. The former Texas A&M standout had reportedly suffered a heart attack the previous weekend and was placed in hospice care shortly before his passing.
Although his professional football career included time with several organizations, Jones was much more than a former NFL player. He was an exceptional athlete who made history in Texas high school sports, delivered a memorable moment in college football and built a successful career away from the game.
Toya Jones Leaves Behind an Impressive Football Legacy
Jones played defensive back at Texas A&M from 1995 through 1998, earning a reputation as a talented and dependable player. He later spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, along with professional stints in the Canadian Football League and the XFL.
While Jones attended NFL training camps, he did not appear in a regular-season NFL game. Still, his football career included a moment that Texas A&M fans have never forgotten.
During the 1998 Big 12 Championship Game against Kansas State, the Aggies were trying to complete a remarkable comeback against an undefeated Wildcats team. With time expiring in regulation, Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop launched a 54-yard Hail Mary pass that found receiver Everett Burnett.
Jones made the tackle at the 1-yard line, preventing Kansas State from scoring the winning touchdown as time expired. Texas A&M went on to win in double overtime, capturing the conference championship.
It remains the Aggies’ most recent conference title.
Jones Was Also a Texas Track and Field Legend
Football was only part of what made Jones such an extraordinary athlete.
At Refugio High School in Texas, he established himself as one of the state’s most accomplished track and field competitors. He collected 17 medals at the state meet, including 13 gold medals, and helped lead Refugio to three state championships.
His achievements were so impressive that he was inducted into the Texas Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2020.
Jones continued competing in track and field at Texas A&M, where he ran the second leg of the Aggies’ 1997 NCAA championship 400-meter relay team.
His athletic accomplishments made him a standout across two sports, but those who knew him personally remembered much more than his performances.
Toya Jones and Jennifer Hovas at the Contraband Jeans Launch Party in Houston, Texas.
Toya Jones and Jennifer Hovas at the Contraband Jeans Launch Party in Houston, Texas.
Friends Remember Jones for His Personality
Following news of his death, friends and former teammates shared heartfelt tributes celebrating the person Jones was away from the spotlight.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Randy Keisler, a close friend of Jones for more than 20 years, reflected on their friendship in a message shared on Facebook.
“Today is a very difficult day for me and so many others. I have to say goodbye to one of my closest friends for more than 20 years,” Keisler wrote.
He went on to remember Jones for his humor, infectious smile and ability to lift the spirits of those around him.
“Toya, you were the funniest guy I’ve ever known and your personality was one of a kind,” Keisler added.
Former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum also paid tribute to Jones, remembering him as a special athlete and person.
Away from sports, Jones found success in business in the Houston area. He later founded Sagis Transport in Sugar Land, Texas, in 2017. The company received recognition from Texas A&M’s McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship in both 2023 and 2024.