Newsonyx

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26, the team announced Wednesday. 

“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the team said in a statement. “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 responded to a home in the city’s northern area at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday when they found Ferguson unresponsive and being treated by medics. ESPN reported that the 26-year-old never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. 

There were no signs of trauma, and no foul play was suspected at this time, Baltimore police said. However, the city’s medical examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. 

The Ravens selected Ferguson in the third round of the NFL draft in 2019. He played 38 games with the team, including ten starts, with a career record of 67 tackles and 4.5 sacks over three seasons.

“Jaylon was a good-hearted, gentle person who loved his family and his team,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “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.”

Ferguson was known as “Sack Daddy” during his collegiate career at Louisiana Tech. He had an explosive senior year with the Bulldogs, leading the nation in sacks with a school and C-USA record 17.5 for the season, per LA Tech Sports.

“The LA Tech Family mourns this morning’s tragic news of the sudden death of former Bulldog great, Jaylon Ferguson,” the Louisiana Tech football team

tweeted. “We will remember his God-given talents on the field and his infectious personality off of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Ravens players and other members of the NFL community mourned the loss of Ferguson through statements and on social media. 

“Jaylon is someone I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard said. “His smile and uplifting attitude are two things I will never forget. You’d find a smile on his face no matter how the day was going. His personality was infectious throughout the locker room, and there wasn’t a person in the organization who didn’t have respect for him.”

“Jaylon was a great young man to be around,” said Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell. “He usually had a big smile on his face and would lighten up the room with a joke. He was just a great, fun guy. He will be missed.”

Ferguson’s fiancée, Dioni Smith, took to Instagram and honored the father of her three children.

“I got our babies,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “I’ll forever have you with me through them!!!!!”

“I won’t ever be able to love them the way Daddy did. I need you,” she added.

The couple met at Louisiana Tech and shared children: Jyce, 4, Jrea, 3, and Demi, 1.

“He was a wonderful young man full of love and life,” Ferguson’s agent, Safarrah Lawson, said in a statement. “He will be remembered not just as a football player but as a great father, son, brother and friend. The family asks for your continued prayers.”