Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones' 6-month-old son, Marlo, dies suddenly

Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones lost "a piece of my family’s heart" Friday when his infant son, Marlo, passed away suddenly.

Marlo was 6 months old.

Marvin and his wife, Jazymn, welcomed their fifth child this summer.

"It is hard to believe that our little angel, our fighter from day one, our son “Marlito” has unfortunately passed away and is no longer here with us," Jones wrote on Instagram. "Marlo, the joy that you brought to us everyday, with that smile, and that energy was like heaven on earth. You will always be in our hearts. We will always remember you."

The couple has three older boys, and a 3-year-old daughter, Mya.

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Jones, in his fourth season with the Lions, has not played since Dec. 8 because of an ankle injury that sent him to injured reserve. He had 62 catches, three shy of a career-high, 779 yards and nine touchdowns at the time of his injury.

"Earlier today, we were informed by Marvin and Jazmyn Jones about the sudden passing of their youngest son, Marlo. The Detroit Lions fully support Marvin and Jazmyn during this extremely difficult time," the Lions said in a statement. "Marvin and Jazmyn embody the true meaning of family, and the example they set has made them an inspiration to so many in our community. We thank everyone for the outpouring of support."

Jones coaches two of his older boys, Marvin III and Mareon, in flag football in San Diego in the offseason, and made an appearance earlier this year to promote a Pampers campaign to install 5,000 changing tables across North America.

"We did not get the chance to hear your first words (It would’ve been in Spanish too)," Jones wrote on Instagram. "We didn’t get to see you run with your brothers and sister, you ran with them with your eyes everyday. We know that everything that We do from here on out will be with you. Every step we take, you will be with us. Whenever we have a bad day, We will think of your smile. We miss you already buddy and will forever love you. Rest peacefully our sweet baby boy. You have gained your wings."

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.