Ravens exterior linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died after authorities discovered him unresponsive late Tuesday in a North Baltimore house. He was 26.
Officials haven’t launched a reason for demise, however Baltimore Police stated Wednesday that investigators haven’t dominated out the potential of an overdose.
“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the Ravens stated in an announcement Wednesday. “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.”
Baltimore Police stated Northern District officers responded at about 11:25 p.m. Tuesday to studies of a questionable demise at a house within the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue in Baltimore’s Harwood neighborhood. There, police discovered Ferguson unresponsive and receiving remedy from medics.
“Ferguson never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on the scene by medics,” Baltimore Police spokeswoman Niki Fennoy stated in an announcement.
Police stated there have been no indicators of trauma or foul play. They stated the health worker will decide a reason for demise.
Ferguson was coming into his fourth NFL season in Baltimore. He seemed leaner and extra explosive on the Ravens’ three-day obligatory minicamp final week earlier than struggling what coach John Harbaugh referred to as a sprained ankle. Ferguson, who was set to report back to coaching camp in late July, had 67 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and three pressured fumbles over his 38 video games (10 begins) with the Ravens.
“Jaylon was a good-hearted, gentle person who loved his family and his team,” Harbaugh stated in an announcement launched by the group. “He was a joy to talk with and be around every day. You always wanted to see and talk to ‘Ferg.’ Our prayers and our help go to his family. Our hearts are with his Spirit. R.I.P., Jaylon.”
Ravens teammates described Ferguson as real and supportive. Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser stated Ferguson’s “positive energy, encouragement and his belief in me helped mold me into the player and man I am today.” Defensive lineman Calais Campbell stated Ferguson “usually had a big smile on his face and would lighten up the room with a joke.” Inside linebacker Josh Bynes wrote on Twitter that he and Ferguson “joked together, laughed together, prayed together, fought on the field together!!”
Safety Tony Jefferson stated Ferguson instructed him earlier than leaving minicamp that he was “ready to have a big year, and I believed it was going to be his best season as a Raven.” Inside linebacker Patrick Queen, a fellow Louisiana native, shared on Twitter that he’d had a current dialog with Ferguson. “Said it was our turn this year,” he wrote.
“Jaylon had a pure heart,” left sort out Ronnie Stanley stated. “He wanted to be a great player, but never tried to downplay his teammates to get there. While going against him in practice, he would always tell me when I was doing a good job, even when it meant it was against himself. He was always with a smile and had an eagerness to learn. He wanted to be better for himself and his kids. He was so excited every time he had a new kid who was about to be born. He always talked about them and how he plays for them.”
A 3rd-round draft decide in 2018, Ferguson set the Football Bowl Subdivision file for profession sacks (45) at Louisiana Tech, eclipsing former Arizona State and Ravens nice Terrell Suggs’ mark. Then-Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale instructed Ferguson after he was drafted that he was “the best pass-rush interview I ever had. When you started talking about pass rush, your eyes lit up, and I can’t wait to get you up here.”
Ferguson was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, successful Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018 and incomes the nickname “Sack Daddy” from a teammate. Ferguson turned the primary member of his household to earn a university diploma.
“The LA Tech Family mourns this morning’s tragic news of the sudden death of former Bulldog great, Jaylon Ferguson,” the Louisiana Tech soccer group stated in an announcement shared on Twitter. “We will remember his God-given talents on the field and his infectious personality off of it.”
A day earlier than Ferguson was drafted in April 2019, a twister with 130-mph winds tore via Ruston, a small metropolis in northern Louisiana, together with parts of Louisiana Tech’s campus. The storm left two folks useless and brought about $9.1 million in injury to metropolis property. In its aftermath, Ferguson joined a wave of volunteers who helped clear particles, drop off meals, water and provides, and assist these in want.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker referred to as Ferguson a “class act,” a “strong role model” for the realm’s youth and “a heck of a pass rusher, too.”
“We lost a person with a big heart and a desire to help the community, no matter where he is,” Walker stated in a phone interview Wednesday. “He was not from Ruston, but yet he adopted the city. And during a time of need, he stepped up to the plate, just like several former players did who came back. So it’s one thing to say, ‘I’m part of the community and I want to help,’ but it’s another thing when you’re going out and actually doing the work.”
Robb Odom, Ferguson’s soccer coach at West Feliciana High School in St. Francisville, Louisiana, stated in an interview that Ferguson was well-mannered, quiet and all the time “took care of his business.” Ferguson had a giant coronary heart, Odom stated, and “didn’t have a selfish bone in his body.”
When he was in a position to come house to Louisiana, Ferguson usually visited his alma mater. West Feliciana retired Ferguson’s highschool jersey, No. 44, final yr. Ferguson’s father, Richard, wore No. 44 as nicely, they usually’d usually argue over who was the higher participant, Odom stated.
”The complete group is in shock,” Odom stated. “It’s a sad, sad day. He will be missed.”
Neighbors within the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue stated the information got here as a shock. They have been unaware of Ferguson having any connection to the neighborhood, which they stated is close-knit and comparatively quiet.
“What the hell was a Ravens player doing on this block?” stated Lawrence Cox, 40, sounding incredulous. Cox had simply pulled up exterior his home Wednesday afternoon, having apparently slept via the police response in a single day. “That’s breaking news to me,” he stated.
Krystle Livering, 40, stated she awakened round 4 a.m. and noticed a automobile being towed away from the scene. Hours handed earlier than she realized what the police investigation was about. She stated she couldn’t recall listening to about any Ravens gamers hanging out within the space.
“I have no idea what happened,” she stated. “It’s just really sad.”
Ferguson is survived by his fiancée, Doni Smith, and their three younger kids, Jrea, Jyce and Demi. On her Instagram story Wednesday, Smith shared movies of Ferguson taking part in along with his youngsters and photographs of their household collectively.
“I love you so much!!” she wrote. “I’ll never in my life feel the love you gave me baby! It’s always been us. You really left me in this world alone baby. I’m broken. I’m hurt. I want you back!!”
Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Cohen contributed to this text.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com