Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson dies at 26; police don't rule out overdose

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died at age 26, the NFL team announced on Wednesday. Ferguson was a promising third-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2019. 

He earned his way to join the NFL’s elite after becoming a star at Louisiana Tech University. In three seasons with Baltimore, Ferguson averaged 67 tackles and 4.5 catches in the NFL.

After winning MVP at the 2018 Hawaii Bowl, the Louisiana native was drafted by the Ravens, spending three seasons in Baltimore and becoming a fan favorite. 

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson. He was a kind and respectful young man with a great smile and an infectious personality. We express our sincere condolences to Jaylon's family and friends as we mourn a life lost far too soon," the franchise said in a statement following Ferguson's death.

#Ravens anuncia el fallecimiento de Jaylon Ferguson, de apenas 26 años de edad. No se difundió la causa de tan triste hecho. Seleccionado en 3ra vuelta en 2019, el apoyador jugó 38 partidos con Baltimore (titularizó 10), registrando 67 tackleadas y 4.5 capturas.
QEPD pic.twitter.com/dJJWlMsHOO

— Ritmo NFL (@RitmoNfl) June 22, 2022

Police officers responded to a call reporting a death at a house at the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue in the Harwood neighborhood of Baltimore, reported the Baltimore Sun. When they arrived, they found Ferguson unresponsive while receiving treatment from paramedics.

"Ferguson never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene by medics," Baltimore Police spokeswoman Niki Fennoy said in a statement.

Police said there were no signs of trauma and the medical examiner will determine the cause of death. However, they "are not ruling out the possibility of an overdose" in the "questionable death" of the Ravens linebacker, The New York Post reported.