What’s the Decal on the Back of the Baltimore Ravens’ Helmets?

Football fans are in for a treat with a heavyweight bout as the NFL kicks off, when Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens travel west to visit back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

But when Baltimore takes to the field, eagle-eyed observers may notice an addition to their usual uniforms, a new decal on the back of their helmets.

The addition is a tribute to two legends who recently passed, keeping them in fans’ memories and even providing extra motivation for the players to honor their memory with victory.

Baltimore Is Honoring Two Late Ravens

On the decal, the “Joe D.” stands for Joe D’Alessandris, while “Jacoby 12” remembers Jacoby Jones. Both men died during the 2024 offseason.

“Hopefully those helmet tags of Jacoby Jones and Joe D’Alessandris help to serve as a reminder to all of us that it’s about the people,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said, according to an official Ravens write-up. “It’s about the people in your life that you share this time on Earth with. Treat them right, cherish them, celebrate them, love them, and remember them.”

To that end, the helmet decal will accompany the Ravens onto the field. They’ll be present, at least in spirit, for any success that follows.

Who Was Joe D’Alessandris?

While coaches are a key part of any successful football team, they usually don’t garner the same level of attention as the guys on the field. Sure, most fans are familiar with their team’s head coach and coordinators, but those further down can be a bit anonymous.

In Baltimore, though, no one will forget Joe D’Alessandris.

As noted in his official Ravens biography, the veteran was set to enter his eighth season as the club’s offensive line coach. Across his 45-year football career, he also spent time in San Diego, Buffalo, Kansas City and the college ranks.

D’Alessandris died on August 25 at the age of 70, leaving three daughters and five grandchildren. His wife Toni had died before him in 2022. He had previously been hospitalized for treatment of an acute illness and had undergone surgery earlier in the summer.

Unsurprisingly, the team was touched by his death.

“Coach Joe D was a man of integrity and a man of faith,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “He made us all better. He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man, the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because Joe D was a joy.”

“Today is a sad day for the Baltimore Ravens,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in his own statement. “Joe D was a rock, a great coach and a better person. He cared about the team deeply, exhibiting a relentless passion to excel while displaying genuine love for his players. I especially treasure my conversations with him, talking about football and life.”

Tributes also came from the players who worked with D’Alessandris in the trenches.

Who Was Jacoby Jones?

While D’Alessandris spent his time with the Ravens on the sidelines, Jacoby Jones was a player. And, beyond simply suiting up for the team, he played a major role in modern Baltimore history.

After starting his pro career with the Houston Texans, Jones came to Charm City in 2012. During that season’s playoffs, he produced a last-minute, 70-yard touchdown catch to tie the game against the Denver Broncos. That “Mile High Miracle” set the stage for Baltimore to win in double overtime and eventually advance to the Super Bowl.

In the Big Game, the hits kept on coming. Jones pulled in a touchdown pass and found the end zone on a kickoff return, helping the Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers for all the marbles.

The wide receiver would spend two more seasons with Baltimore before bouncing around to the Steelers, Chargers and, eventually, the National Arena League’s Monterrey Steel. He eventually signed a one-day contract to retire as a Raven before trying his hand at coaching.

In July 2024, though, Jones died at his home in New Orleans at the age of 40. A medical investigation eventually found that Jones died of natural causes; hypertensive cardiovascular disease was cited as his cause of death.

The Ravens and Harbaugh were quick to remember to the late receiver.

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Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day. pic.twitter.com/LdQ7dXFzaT

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 14, 2024

And, before long, tributes started pouring in from his former teammates.

Both D’Alessandris and Jones left unforgettable legacies. The Ravens’ helmet decal, however, will help ensure that they’re present in everyone’s hearts and minds.