New Orleans Youth Football Camp Honors Super Bowl Legend Jacoby Jones by Inspiring the Next Generation of Athletes to Dream Bigger
In the heart of New Orleans, where football is more than a sport and community is more than a word, a youth football camp is doing more than teaching routes, drills, and technique—it’s preserving a legacy. That legacy belongs to Jacoby Jones, the former NFL wide receiver and special teams ace who etched his name in Super Bowl history with one of the most electrifying performances the game has ever seen. Though years have passed since that legendary night in New Orleans, a football camp bearing his name ensures that his memory and impact remain alive and influential.
Jacoby Jones wasn’t born in New Orleans, but he became one of the city’s adopted sons during his unforgettable showing in Super Bowl XLVII. Playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Jones made two game-changing plays against the San Francisco 49ers inside the Superdome: a 56-yard touchdown catch just before halftime, and an NFL-record 108-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half. His name was etched in Super Bowl lore forever, and the city that hosted the game never forgot his heroics.
Today, a dedicated group of coaches, volunteers, former players, and community leaders have come together to keep Jones’ spirit alive through the annual Jacoby Jones Football Camp, a grassroots initiative built on mentorship, development, and community engagement. The camp, held each summer on local high school and recreation fields, draws hundreds of kids from across the region—many of whom come from underprivileged neighborhoods where opportunities like this are rare.
The goal of the camp is twofold: to teach football fundamentals and to instill life skills that go far beyond the gridiron. While young athletes are put through traditional drills—passing, catching, tackling, footwork—the deeper message of the camp is about resilience, hard work, and believing in yourself when the odds are against you. These are the same values Jacoby Jones embodied throughout his journey from a small college athlete at Lane College to a Super Bowl star on football’s biggest stage.
Organizers of the camp frequently speak about Jones not just as a player, but as a person. He was known for his relentless drive, charismatic personality, and love for giving back. Though Jones passed away unexpectedly in early 2024 due to undisclosed health complications, his legacy is more present than ever at each camp. His mother, Emily Jones, now plays a key role in overseeing the event, ensuring that her son’s memory isn’t just preserved—it’s celebrated.
“Jacoby always said he wanted to be remembered not just for what he did in the Super Bowl, but for how he helped people after,” Emily shared during the most recent camp kickoff. “This camp was his baby. He loved being out here with these kids. So we’re going to keep doing it, year after year, for him and for them.”
This year’s camp featured guest appearances from former NFL players, local high school coaches, and even a few active college stars from Louisiana-based programs. They all echoed a common theme: Jacoby Jones showed that greatness can come from anywhere, and that even the most overlooked kids can shine when given the right support and belief.
Kids between the ages of 8 and 17 are invited to participate, and the camp is completely free of charge. Uniforms, meals, water bottles, and gear are all provided thanks to local sponsorships and donations. Parents from the community praise the program not just for its affordability, but for its positive influence on their children’s outlook, confidence, and discipline.
One parent, Marlon Dupree, whose 13-year-old son attends the camp, expressed how deeply meaningful it is for families in the area. “We don’t always get stuff like this in our part of town,” he said. “To have this camp here, honoring someone like Jacoby, it’s powerful. These kids see someone who made it and know they can too.”
The mentorship aspect of the camp is just as vital as the athletic training. After every session, players gather in small groups to talk with coaches and mentors about academics, goal setting, dealing with adversity, and staying out of trouble. Many of the volunteer coaches share their own experiences of growing up in tough environments and making life-altering decisions, using their stories to connect and inspire.
This blend of football instruction and life guidance is at the heart of what Jacoby Jones envisioned. He often talked about how football kept him grounded and focused during his youth, and how mentorship from the right people changed his life. Now, the camp serves as an extension of that belief.
Beyond the drills and speeches, the camp is infused with tributes to Jones himself. His jersey hangs at the entrance gate, and a mural painted by local artist Devin Walker greets attendees with a vibrant depiction of Jones running back the iconic kickoff. His most famous quotes are etched onto banners: “Bet on yourself,” and “When you get your shot, don’t miss.”
Each camper also receives a Jacoby Jones “Dream Bigger” wristband and a notebook to write down personal goals for the season and beyond. Coaches encourage them to track their progress and revisit the notes regularly, just as Jones did when he was working his way up from obscurity.
Perhaps the most emotional moment of this year’s camp came during the final day, when a highlight reel of Jones’ Super Bowl performance was played on a large screen as families gathered in the bleachers. The cheers, gasps, and applause from the crowd underscored just how unforgettable that night was—and how deeply Jones’ legacy still resonates.
For some of the older players, particularly those entering high school or preparing for college, the camp represents more than inspiration—it’s a chance to build real relationships and connections. Several area coaches attend the camp each year to scout talent and meet with families. A few athletes have even earned scholarship offers after being noticed at the camp, a testament to the high level of training and visibility it provides.
While the camp is a celebration, it is also a call to action. Organizers are working to expand the program year-round by offering tutoring, weight training, and mentorship beyond just the summer months. There are plans to create the Jacoby Jones Foundation, which would fund scholarships and further youth development programs in New Orleans and Houston, where Jones also spent part of his NFL career.
In this way, Jacoby’s impact continues to grow even after his passing. The camp isn’t just keeping his name alive—it’s cultivating the next generation of athletes, leaders, and role models. And in a city like New Orleans, where history and heart go hand-in-hand, the story of Jacoby Jones remains alive in the faces and footsteps of the kids sprinting across the same turf where he once made history.
The Jacoby Jones Football Camp reminds us that legacies aren’t built in one night, even if that night happens to be the Super Bowl. They’re built day by day, interaction by interaction, in the way we uplift others and inspire hope. Jones may be gone, but through this camp, his story continues to be written—by every kid who dares to dream bigger.
