Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26, the team said in a statement Wednesday.
Details surrounding the athlete’s death were sparse, other than that he died at an unidentified residence in Baltimore, according to police.
Officers with the city’s police department said they found Ferguson unresponsive at a Baltimore residence at around 11:25 PM Tuesday, responding to a report of a ‘questionable death.’
Ferguson was treated by medics at the scene, cops said, but ‘never regained consciousness.’
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lawmen said they are not ruling out the possibility of an overdose.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26, the team said in a statement Wednesday. Ferguson was found unresponsive by police at a Baltimore residence Tuesday night. He was pronounced dead at the scene
In a tribute to the star, the Ravens said Ferguson – a father of three – was ‘lost much too soon’
A father of three who had been carving himself a spot in the Baltimore ball club’s roster, the death comes as a shock for NFL fans and members of the league.
Ferguson was reportedly in the best shape of his career, participating in all of the team’s offseason practices for the past three months. Coaches said the star – who saw considerable playing time last season – had also shed a ton of weight.
Cops said they did not suspect foul play in the case, but are investigating the incident as an ‘open questionable death’ until a cause of death is determined.
Police said there were no signs of trauma on the athlete’s body.
His body was taken to the medical examiner’s office early Wednesday, where a cause of death will be determined.
In a tribute to the fallen star Wednesday, the Ravens said Ferguson was ‘lost much too soon.’
‘We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,’ the team wrote.
Ferguson was reportedly in the best shape of his career before his death, participating in all of the team’s offseason practices for the past three months. Coaches said the star – who saw considerable playing time last season – had also shed a ton of weight
‘He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality,’ the team said of the star, who was entering his fourth year in the NFL
‘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.’
Ferguson, who had a standout career at Louisiana Tech University before being drafted by the team in 2019, was also remembered by his agent Safarrah Lawson, in her own statement.
‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Baltimore Ravens LB Jaylon Ferguson.’
‘The family asks for your prayers and privacy during this trying time.’
Ferguson is survived by his three kids and wife Doni Smith.
Their firstborn, four-year-old boy Jyce, arrived in November 2017, while second child Jrea, a girl, came in May 2019.
Ferguson had a standout career at Louisiana Tech University before being drafted by the team in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. He had been carving himself a spot in the Baltimore ball club’s roster before his unexpected death Tuesday night
Ferguson is survived by his three kids and wife Doni Smith. The family of five are pictured during a visit to Disney World in January. The pair welcomed their youngest Demi, a baby girl (pictured being held by Smith), late last year
Last year, Doni wrote she was ‘expecting another sweet baby’ – and has since given birth a third time, to another baby girl.
She shared a picture of the family of five on Twitter during a visit to Disney World in January, captioning the post, ‘World we created.’
Early Wednesday, Doni lamented the loss of her husband, who she met in college in Louisiana.
‘Never in a million years, I thought I’ll be saying RIP to you,’ Doni wrote over a photo of her hugging her late sweetheart while pregnant with one of their kids.
‘My soul aches sooo bad baby. I know I’m dreaming baby… please watch over us! Please,’ she added.
In another photo showing Ferguson with two of the kids, Doni wrote: ‘The legacy will continue!!! Ferguson Forever.’
She added ‘I’ve got our babies, thank for you giving me you. I’ll forever have you with me through them!!!!!’
The widow went on to post several more heart-wrenching tributes and videos of Ferguson playing with their kids, showing how loving a father he had been.
Early Wednesday, Doni lamented the loss of her husband, who she met in college in Louisiana
In another photo showing Ferguson with two of their kids, Doni wrote: ‘The legacy will continue!!! Ferguson Forever. I’ve got our babies… I’ll forever have you with me through them!!’
The widow went on to post several more heart-wrenching tributes and videos of Ferguson playing with their kids, showing how loving a father he had been
‘They’re going to be so lost without you!’ Doni wrote over one clip.
‘I won’t ever be able to love them the way Daddy did,’ she added in another. ‘I neeed [sic] you.’
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen also took to social media to celebrate his teammate’s life.
‘The last person I talked to leaving the facility,’ Ferguson’s fellow defensive team member wrote on Twitter.
‘Spent almost everyday in the sauna together tryna see who gone last longer. Said it was our turn this year man. Ima miss you bro.’
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen also took to social media to celebrate his teammate’s life
Ferguson, known by his nickname ‘Sack Daddy’ coming out of college, made headlines in 2019 after the NFL rescinded his invitation to the NFL combine after a background check turned up an a 2015 battery conviction in his native Louisiana.
The incident stemmed from a scuffle the then 19-year-old got into scuffle with another teen.
He received a deferred judgment and $189.00 fine for the incident.
Baltimore Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Ferguson’s death. A cause of death has yet to be given.
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