SI

Ravens Linebacker Jaylon Ferguson Dies At 26

Baltimore announced the news on Wednesday morning.

Zach Koons

Jaylon Ferguson, a Ravens veteran linebacker and former college standout, has died at age 26, the team announced Wednesday morning.

“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 said officers responded Tuesday night to reports of a questionable death at a home in the northern district of the city, according to the Baltimore Sun. At the scene, police found Ferguson unresponsive and receiving treatment from medical personnel.

“Ferguson never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on the scene by medics,” Baltimore Police spokeswoman Niki Fennoy said in a statement, via the Baltimore Sun.

Police said there were no signs of trauma found or foul play suspected, and a medical examiner will determine a cause of death.

A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Ferguson landed on the Ravens and immediately became an impact player on defense. During his rookie season, he played in 14 games and made nine starts, racking up 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks. 

Ferguson moved into a support role during the following year, making just one start in 14 regular-season appearances. In 2021, he played in 10 games and made six tackles.

Prior to playing in the NFL, Ferguson was a standout at Louisiana Tech, in his home state. A two-time first First-Team All-Conference USA and 2018 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year, Ferguson played for the Bulldogs for four years and ended his college career as the NCAA’s all-time sack leader.

“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 Wednesday. “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 had three children, two daughters and a son, who are all under the age of 5.

“He was a wonderful young man full of love and life,” Ferguson’s agent, Safarrah Lawson, said in a statement, per ESPN. “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.”

Published
Zach Koons
ZACH KOONS

Zach Koons is a programming editor at Sports Illustrated who frequently writes about Formula One. He joined SI as a breaking/trending news writer in February 2022 before joining the programming team in 2023. Koons previously worked at The Spun and interned for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He currently hosts the "Bleav in Northwestern" podcast and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University.

Home/NFL