Jason Jones, former Arena Football League player and local announcer, dead at 41
Philadelphia Soul part-owner Ron Jaworski said Jones' impact on his life and "the lives of those around you will never be forgotten."
Jason Jones wore many hats.
A former Arena Football League player, Jones, affectionately known as “Coffee” parlayed his post-football career into a broadcasting career that touched a number of sports from high school to the professional ranks.
He also was a devoted father to his son and a consummate friend to scores of people in the football world. It’s why so many of the lives he touched reached out to express their condolences following his sudden passing on Tuesday.
He was 41.
In one of his many endeavors, Jones was the announcer and color analyst for the AFL’s Atlantic City Blackjacks. A consummate advocate for growing the arena game, Jones, a 6-4, 330-pound two-way lineman from Pasadena, Calif., who played at Idaho, was a member of three AFL teams — including the Philadelphia Soul — and appeared in two ArenaBowls (XXVI and XXVII).
Upon hearing of Jones’ death, Nick Kosko, who was Jones’ broadcast partner during the AFL’s final season, took to Twitter.
“There wasn’t a person who wasn’t infatuated by his presence, smile and energy,” Kosko wrote. “He was a perfect broadcast partner, we had too much fun. Coffee was a tremendous ambassador for arena football and a great broadcaster. Heck of a player too. Rest easy, my friend. Until we meet again.”
In addition to the arena game, Jones, a Maple Shade resident, also was an analyst for the Ivy League covering football games and stayed local covering Camden High School athletics — most notably the basketball team.
Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, who owned a stake in the Soul since its inception and helped revive the franchise’s return to the AFL in 2011, also expressed condolences via Twitter.
“Earlier this week, my world was shattered as I received the devastating news of the sudden passing of my dear friend, Jason “Coffee” Jones,” Jaworski wrote. “Your impact on my life and the lives of those around you will never be forgotten. Thank you for being my friend and my brother.”