Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has passed away, the NFL team announced on Wednesday. He was 26.
“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the Ravens said on Twitter. “He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality. We express our heartfelt condolences to Jaylon’s family and friends as we mourn a life lost much too soon.”
No cause of death has been given at the time of his death.
Officers from the city’s Northern District responded at approximately 11:25 p.m. to a report of a questionable death at a residence, according to police. Ferguson was said to have been found unresponsive while being attended to by medics, who eventually pronounced him dead at the scene after he failed to regain consciousness.
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No signs of trauma nor initial indicators of foul play were found, said police.
They added that “investigators are not ruling out the possibility of an overdose.”
Ferguson’s agent, Safarrah Lawson, said in a statement to NFL.com: “The family asks for your prayers and privacy during this trying time.”
In a statement on Twitter, the NFL said: “We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Jaylon Ferguson. The NFL family sends our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”
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The Louisiana Tech prospect was drafted by Baltimore in the third round in 2019. In 38 games with the team, 10 of which were starts, Ferguson had 67 tackles and 4.5 sacks in three seasons.
Nicknamed “Sack Daddy,” in college he broke the all-time NCAA record for career sacks with 45.
During the 2019 draft week, Ferguson lent his support to relief efforts in his college community of Ruston, Louisiana, after a deadly tornado struck the city.
“The LA Tech Family mourns this morning’s tragic news of the sudden death of former Bulldog great, Jaylon Ferguson,” said a statement from Ferguson’s alma mater.
“We will remember his God-given talents on the field and his infectious personality off of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. RIP, 45.”
Jaylon Ferguson’s fiancée is paying tribute to the father of her three children following his sudden death at age 26.
“I got our babies,” Doni Smith wrote in part on her Instagram story. “I’ll forever have you with me through them!!!!!”
“I won’t ever be able to love them the way Daddy did, I need you,” she added.
The late Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker and Smith, who owns a catering company in Maryland, share children Jyce, 4, Jrea, 3, and Demi, 1.
Smith posted a series of photos and videos, in which the athlete is seen doting on his family, and lamented how “lost” they will be without him. In one sweet clip, Ferguson is seen stretching with two of their children.
The couple met while studying at Louisiana Tech, where Ferguson played football and earned the nickname “Sack Daddy.” He was a third-round pick by the Ravens in 2019.
The Ravens misery was later compounded by the death of former player Tony Siragusa, a Super Bowl champion who became a popular sideline reporter after his career ended. A statement from the team said he died unexpectedly. He was 55 years old.
“There was no one like Goose — a warrior on the field and a team unifier with a giving, generous heart who helped teammates and the community more than most people know,” former coach Brian Billick said. “We would not have won the Super Bowl without him. This is such stunning, sad news, and our hearts go out to Kathy and the Siragusa family.”
