Former Purdue and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Uche Nwaneri died suddenly on Friday.
The 38-year-old was found unresponsive at his wife’s home in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Former Jaguars guard Uche Nwaneri died at age 38 after he was found unresponsive in his wife's Indiana home last week. Authorities tell us the preliminary cause is "acute heart failure." https://t.co/WTvmrLXo9u
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 2, 2023
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Uche Nwaneri. pic.twitter.com/UstPAT1i6U
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 2, 2023
Sad sad news. Another former teammate gone too soon. Just awful. https://t.co/6XzxxYvMIM
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) January 2, 2023
Police received a call around 1 a.m. saying that the 6’4″ former offensive lineman collapsed in a bedroom.
“The Tippecanoe County Office of the Coroner tells us while the official cause hasn’t yet been determined, their initial (preliminary) report indicates Uche died of an ‘enlarged heart with acute heart failure,” TMZ reports.
“Authorities say there are no signs of trauma or foul play.”
#Jaguars fans will be sad to hear passing of former G Uche Nwaneri at 38, collapsing from a possible heart attack in wife's home in West Lafayette. Uch was one of the coolest cats to ever occupy that locker room. Opinionated and so loveable. What a tragedy to be taken so young.
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) January 2, 2023
TMZ reported:
The official cause will not be named until the toxicology report comes back in a few weeks.
Tony Khan — son of Jags’ owner Shahid — issued a statement shortly after the news broke … saying Nwaneri “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.” The Dallas native started his football career when he committed to Purdue over Kentucky and Texas A&M in 2003. He was suspended from Purdue for the 2005 fall semester after breaking his teammate Ryan Noblet’s jaw during a fight at practice. Nwaneri was picked up by the Jags in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL draft and played for them until he was released on March 4, 2014.
In 2021, he stated to get vaccine mandates and vaccine passports “up and running ASAP.”
He also demanded to “jail anyone who refuses.”
“Ok so lets get these vaccine mandates and Vaccine passports up and running ASAP. We seeing children DIE daily from the unvaccinated selfishness. Pregnant women at risk too. PROTECT LIFE. MANDATE THE VACCINE. Jail anyone who refuses, to protect LIFE,” Nwaneri’s tweet from 2021 read.
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