Josh Mauro, who spent parts of eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders, has died at age 35. His father, Greg Mauro, announced the death on Facebook on Thursday, April 23rd.
"With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new, living in the presence of the Lord, we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend," Greg Mauro wrote.
The Cardinals released a statement expressing their grief. "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him," the team said. The Raiders also paid their respects to the former player.
Adrian Wilson, who played safety for the Cardinals alongside Mauro, remembered him for his professionalism and dependability. "Always in shape, always was ready to go wherever he got that call. One of the things I respected most about him. You could depend on him," Wilson wrote on social media.
Born in England while his father was stationed there, Mauro grew up in Texas and became a standout high school player before attending Stanford University, where he studied management science and engineering. He went undrafted in 2014 but built a solid professional career, appearing in 80 games across his eight seasons in the league.
From 2014 to 2017, Mauro was a fixture on the Cardinals defense. He returned to the team in 2020 and 2021 after a stint with the Giants in 2018 and the Raiders in 2019. Over his career, he accumulated 150 tackles and five sacks.
In 2017, when the Cardinals traveled to London to play a game, Mauro reflected on his gratitude for his time in professional football. "Every Sunday when I take the field I appreciate it. I am grateful, and I embrace it. It's a blessing to be out there. This game has been wonderful to me," he said.
Mauro came from an athletic family. Three of his brothers also played college football, continuing a tradition of athletic achievement in the Mauro household.
Author James Rodriguez: "Mauro carved out a real NFL career despite going undrafted, a testament to the work ethic that everyone who played with him remembered."
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