NFL Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from an accidental drug overdose after taking fentanyl and cocaine

By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor for DailyMail.com and Associated Press

REVEALED: Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from an accidental drug overdose after taking fentanyl and cocaine

• Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from a mix of fentanyl and cocaine before he his body was found last week, Baltimore’s medical examiner said
• Bruce Goldfarb, a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, announced Friday that the 26-year-old’s death has been ruled an accident
• Ferguson’s body was discovered on June 21. There were no signs of trauma or foul play, and investigators left open the possibility of a drug overdose
• His fiancée announced that a viewing will be held for Ferguson on Saturday

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from a fatal mix of fentanyl and cocaine before he his body was discovered last week, according to a city medical examiner.

As a spokesperson for Baltimore’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told DailyMail.com on Friday, the 26-year-old’s death has been ruled an accident. No written autopsy is available yet, but the agency hopes to have one mostly complete in the next few months.

Ferguson’s body was discovered on June 21. There were no signs of trauma or foul play, and investigators left open the possibility of a drug overdose, which was confirmed on Friday.

‘Our priority is focused on the man Jaylon was and the positive impact he made on so many as a father, son, fiancé, friend and teammate,’ read a team statement. ‘It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while we continue to support his family and teammates, who are mourning the tragic loss of a loved one and will celebrate his life tomorrow.’

Following his death, Ferguson’s family issued their own statement, saying his passing was ‘one of the darkest moments in our lives.’

Ferguson’s body is scheduled for a viewing on Saturday in St. Francisville, Louisiana, according to his fiancée, Doni Smith.

Smith, the mother of Ferguson’s three surviving children, reacted to his death on social media last week: ‘God, this is killing me baby!!! Rest In Paradise my King!!! I miss you like crazy.’

Ferguson, nicknamed ‘Sack Daddy,’ was drafted by the Ravens in the third round in 2019 and played his whole pro career with them. He appeared in 38 games and had 4 1/2 sacks.

‘Jaylon was a good-hearted, gentle person who loved his family and his team. He was a joy to talk with and be around every day,’ Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. ‘You always wanted to see and talk to `Ferg.´ Our prayers and our help go to his family.’

Born December 14, 1995, in St. Francisville, Louisiana, Ferguson played high school football and basketball at West Feliciana. At Louisiana Tech, his 45 sacks were one better than another Ravens linebacker, Terrell Suggs, achieved at Arizona State.

Ferguson was a third-team AP All-American in 2018.

‘The LA Tech Family mourns this morning´s tragic news of the sudden death of former Bulldog great, Jaylon Ferguson,’ the Louisiana Tech football program 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 made nine starts as a rookie for the Ravens in 2019, and he also started the team’s only playoff game that season. The linebacker spent time on the COVID-19 list early last season but ended up appearing in 10 games.

‘Me and ‘Ferg’ went through some of the same struggles when it came to making a name for ourselves in the league,’ linebacker Tyus Bowser said. ‘From that, we were able to gain an understanding and help each other build and grow as players. From the playbook, to the field – and even outside of work – we created a strong bond amongst ourselves. Whether I was having a bad day or vice versa, we encouraged each other, and that´s what I appreciated most and what I´ll miss about him.’

The Ravens finished minicamp last week and are off until training camp. Wednesday was a tragic day for the franchise, with news breaking that both Ferguson and former defensive tackle Tony Siragusa had died.

‘[Ferguson] had the most genuine energy I’ve ever been around,’ 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.’

Raskin. (2022). Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died from an accidental drug overdose after taking fentanyl and cocaine. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10974077/Ravens-Jaylon-Ferguson-died-accidental-drug-overdose-taking-fentanyl-cocaine.html