# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeAnabjG4lo
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71151469-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b240cd3c7d.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-02T23:00:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

A friendship that started on a high school football field in Mesa made it all the way to the NFL, but only one of them got to see it happen.

Jeremiah Aviles and Ja’Kobi Lane became close friends while playing together at Red Mountain High School, bonding over football, video games and everyday life. 

In May 2023, just weeks before graduating, 18-year-old Jeremiah lost his life after a firearm being handled at a teammate’s Mesa home went off and struck him. The teen charged with manslaughter in his death was later found not guilty. 

Ja’Kobi kept moving forward with Jeremiah’s memory beside him.

He went from Red Mountain to USC, finishing his college career with 1,363 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns before the Baltimore Ravens selected him 80th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

And even after making it to the NFL, he never stopped honoring his friend. Days before his debut, Ja’Kobi shared an old photo of the two together, while his Instagram bio still read “LONG LIVE JEREMIAH.” 

Then came his first NFL Sunday.

For the first time since losing her son, Jeremiah’s mother said she watched an entire football game as Ja’Kobi made his NFL debut for Baltimore. He caught his first NFL pass for 11 yards and had a touchdown wiped away by a penalty before a fractured wrist ended his debut early. 

But for Jeremiah’s family, it was bigger than football. One of his closest friends had made it from the same Mesa field they once shared all the way to Sundays in the NFL, still carrying Jeremiah’s name with him more than three years later. ❤️🕊️

Jeremiah’s family continues his legacy through the Jeremiah Aviles Foundation, helping graduating student-athletes pursue college, trade school or entrepreneurship. 

From Red Mountain to the NFL. Long Live Jeremiah. 🕊️🏈

#Arizona #Mesa #RedMountain #NFL #ArizonaSports

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,392
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- **Comments:** 15

## Tags

redmountain, arizonasports, nfl, mesa, arizona

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