“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.”
At approximately 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, Baltimore Police said officers responded to a home in the northern district of the city, where they found Ferguson unresponsive and being treated by medics. Ferguson never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on the scene by medics, according to police.
Baltimore Police said there were no signs of trauma found or foul play suspected at this time. Ferguson’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office, where a cause of death will be determined. Investigators are not ruling out the possibility of an overdose, a police spokesperson said.
Ferguson, a third-round pick by the Ravens in 2019, had participated in all of the team’s offseason practices this year. It appeared that he had worked hard to be in the best shape of his career, dropping a significant amount of weight.
“‘J Ferg’ had the most genuine energy I’ve ever been around,” Ravens safety Tony Jefferson said. “Before I left after minicamp in the locker room, he expressed how he was ready to have a big year, and I believed it was going to be his best season as a Raven. He will be watching over us, I know it, and he will bring the team closer just from his mark he left. He will definitely be missed.”
Known as “Sack Daddy” coming out of Louisiana Tech, Ferguson holds the FBS record for career sacks with 45. In three NFL seasons, he totaled 67 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
“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.”
Ferguson spent most of his time during the 2019 draft, in which he was the 85th player selected, helping his hometown of Ruston, Louisiana, recover from a deadly tornado. He helped search for people while removing uprooted trees from the street. He also helped bring water and pizza to people in need.
“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.”
“The last person I talked to leaving the facility,” Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen tweeted. “Spent almost everyday in the sauna together tryna see who gone last longer. Said it was our turn this year man. Ima miss you bro.”
Ferguson had three children, two daughters and a son, who are all under the age of 5.
