Former Jacksonville Jaguars guard Uche Nwaneri dies age 38

Uche Nwaneri, the former Jacksonville Jaguars player, has died at the age of 38.

Reports say that Nwaneri died Friday of acute heart failure after collapsing at his wife’s home in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, and could not be saved.

She reportedly found him unresponsive in a bedroom and called 911. According to the Lafayette Journal and Courier, an autopsy showed no indication of foul play. 

Nwaneri, a guard, played for the Jaguars for seven seasons, joining the franchise in 2007

Nwaneri was reportedly living in Atlanta, Georgia, where he has business interests and had driven to his wife’s home. 

The Jaguars confirmed the news of his passing in a tweet on Monday and Tony Khan, son of Jags owner Shahid, tweeted in a statement: ‘Rest In Peace, Uche Nwaneri. 

‘He played 7 seasons with the Jaguars, 2007-2013, and forged a strong bond with the Jags fans that’s remained to this day.

‘On behalf of the Jaguars organization and my family, our thoughts are with Uche’s family + friends at this terrible time.’

When he left the Jaguars, he was signed by the Cowboys in 2014 but they later cut him

Nwaneri played 104 games for the Jags in his seven years for the team from 2007 until 2013. He was a fifth round pick in the 2007 draft from Purdue and played nine games, with one start, in his first season.

He stepped in for Vince Manuwai in 2008 and started 15 games, keeping his place even when Manuwai returned from injury. 

He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in June 2014 but was cut in August the same year.