Saints Former LB Passes Away, per Reports

Saints lose one of their own, as a former linebacker passes away at just 32.

Former New Orleans Saints LB Ronald Powell passed away, according to an announcement from the NFL Players Association. Junior Galette, a former teammate of Powell's with the Saints, also shared the news on 'X' (formerly Twitter). Powell's cause of death has not yet been released. He was 32 years old.

“I Love You Forever till we meet again an EXCELLENT FATHER Respected Brother and a Loving Son I am saddened to shared with the rest of the world that Ronald Powell Transitioned Earlier today,” Galette said via X. “REST IN POWER RONALD POWELL.”

(Junior Galette via 'X' on 1/15/2024)

Powell was a fifth-round choice by the Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida. He had 11 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in three collegiate seasons with the Gators. Powell was a five-star recruit out of Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, CA.

Aug 8, 2014; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Ronald Powell (56) warms up before a game against the St. Louis Rams. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Ronald Powell appeared in 14 games for New Orleans as a rookie, almost exclusively on special teams. A knee injury cost him the 2015 campaign, and he bounced around the practice squad of three different teams over the next few years before being out of the league. 

Unfortunately, injuries derailed a potentially promising career. Powell was last active with the Orlando Apollos in the AAF in 2019. The league ceased operations that same year.