Former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro has passed away, his family and former team announced on social media.
Mauro, who spent the majority of his eight NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, was 35 years old. The cause of death was not immediately known.
A statement posted on Facebook by his father, Greg Mauro, said: “While there are many tears and heartbreak, we are sustained by the unwavering belief that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed, renewed and alive in the presence of the Lord. We humbly ask for your prayers as our family navigates the devastating loss of a wonderful son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.”
Greg Mauro said Josh Mauro passed away on April 23rd.
“Josh took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven,” the statement continued. “The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable moment. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words can express.”
Josh Mauro spent the first four seasons of his career (2014-2017) with the Cardinals and was part of the team that reached the 2015 NFC Championship Game. The undrafted out of Stanford University also played for the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.
“The Raiders mourn the loss of Josh Mauro. … The Raiders family extends its deepest sympathies to Josh’s family and friends at this time,” the team said in a statement.
Mauro returned to Arizona and appeared in eight games during the 2020-2021 season.
Mauro was born in England and raised in Texas. He played in 80 career games, recording 130 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Former Cardinals teammate Adrian Wilson remembered Mauro in a written message via social media.
“My prayers go out to Josh Mauro and his family,” Wilson wrote. “I had the opportunity to spend a few years with Josh (former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians). He was always in good shape and ready to go wherever he was called. That’s one of the things I respect most about him. He’s reliable.”
JJ Watt, who overlapped with Mauro at Arizona State in 2021, wrote this about X:
“We have lost too many people, too young… Rest in peace, Josh.”
Rondale Moore, who died in February at age 25 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, was also a member of the 2021 Cardinals.
This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in trouble or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Contributor: Theo McKee, Arizona Republic
