It was only a few weeks ago during a hot training camp practice when Joe D'Alessandris told his offensive linemen that it would feel the same on Sept. 5 in the season opener in Kansas City.
D'Alessandris won't be there in-person to coach his guys, but he will be there in spirit. The Ravens will carry the memories of D'Alessandris and Jacoby Jones throughout the 2024 season.
On Tuesday, the team unveiled the helmet decal all players will wear honoring the late Ravens legends. The decal will be on the back of the helmet, just above each player's number.
"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. "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."
D'Alessandris passed away on Aug. 25, 11 days after he was hospitalized with an "acute Illness." He was revered for the kindness he treated everybody with and the offensive linemen he developed with the touch of a father.
An NFL coach for 17 seasons, including seven in Baltimore, D'Alessandris started his NFL career in Kansas City, where the Ravens will open the season. The Ravens' offensive linemen have dedicated this season to the man they affectionately called "Joe D."
"When you lose one of the best men in this building, it's certainly hard," center Tyler Linderbaum said this week. "We're doing this for Joe D."
"We want to make him proud and keep rolling forward," veteran lineman Patrick Mekari said. "I think that's what Joe D would want. Keep rolling forward and play hard."
"He touched a lot of lives and was a great man," added guard Andrew Vorhees. "It's our calling now to go and honor him with the way we play and the way we conduct ourselves throughout the season."
Jones died suddenly on July 14 in his native New Orleans. One of the heroes of the Ravens' 2012 season and Super Bowl XLVII, Jones scored the "Mile High Miracle" to force overtime in the divisional playoff game in Denver and had two touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
Beyond the explosion he had on the field, Jones was adored for the joy he brought to life. He was an entertainer in every sense of the word, constantly making his teammates, coaches, and fans laugh.
"I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did," Harbaugh said when Jones passed. "His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light."
