Shock in the NFL world as former defensive lineman Josh Mauro has died suddenly at just 35, leaving fans and former teammates reeling over the heartbreaking loss.
Mauro’s family confirmed the devastating news in a statement released Tuesday, revealing he passed away on April 23. The cause of death has not been disclosed, deepening the mystery surrounding his untimely passing.
“With many tears and broken hearts… our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new,” his father Greg shared in an emotional message, adding that Mauro had “breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.” The grieving family asked for prayers as they struggle to cope with the tragedy.
The former NFL standout was remembered as far more than just a football player — described by loved ones as an “amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.”
Born in St. Albans, England, Mauro moved to the United States as a toddler and grew up in Texas, where he began carving out his football future. After shining in high school, he went on to play college football at Stanford, building a reputation as a tough, dependable force on the defensive line.
Despite going undrafted, Mauro refused to give up on his NFL dream. He initially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut during final roster decisions — a setback that would have ended many careers. Instead, Mauro pushed forward and found his footing with the Arizona Cardinals, where he made his mark.
He spent the bulk of his career in Arizona, playing four seasons from 2014 to 2017 before returning for a second stint from 2020 to 2021. Known as a reliable rotational player who could step up when needed, Mauro had his best season in 2016, starting 13 games and racking up a career-high 42 tackles.
Mauro also suited up for the New York Giants in 2018, the Oakland Raiders in 2019, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, before ultimately closing out his NFL journey back in Arizona.
As news of his death spread, tributes flooded social media from across the football world.
Former Cardinals teammate Adrian Wilson remembered Mauro as a player you could always count on. “Always in shape, always ready to go wherever he got that call… you could depend on him,” he wrote.
Others echoed the sentiment, with sports anchor Rudy Reyes calling his death “greatly saddening” and recalling Mauro as “an outstanding person” long before he reached the NFL.
Fans also poured in with messages of shock and grief, with one Raiders supporter writing, “You are an Oakland Raider, which is a special honor. May God bless the Mauro family.”
Another added simply: “Absolutely loved this guy… horrible situation.”
Now, as questions linger over what led to his sudden death, one thing is clear — Josh Mauro’s impact stretched far beyond the field, leaving behind a legacy of grit, perseverance, and quiet reliability that teammates and fans won’t soon forget.
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