Former NFL player Josh Mauro’s tragic cause of death revealed after league was left ‘devastated’ by ex-Cardinals and Giants man’s sudden passing at 35
Former NFL defensive end Josh Mauro died from an accidental drug overdose last month, it has been revealed.
Mauro, an English-born defensive lineman, passed away at the age of 35 on April 23, according to a public statement shared by his father Greg.
‘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,’ the statement read.
It added that Mauro ‘breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.’
Weeks on from his tragic death, The California Post has revealed that the ex-Arizona Cardinals man suffered an accidental drug overdose.
According to a case status update from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner, investigators have determined that Mauro died from ‘acute combined fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol intoxication.’
Former NFL defensive end Josh Mauro died from an accidental drug overdose last month
However, the manner of his passing was deemed accidental.
The Phoenix Police Department were reportedly called to Mauro’s home in Arizona at 12:20pm on April 23 regarding a dead body that was found at his property.
When they arrived they are said to have located an adult male, identified as Mauro, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Detectives reportedly believe there is ‘no obvious sign of foul play’ involved in his death.
Born in St. Albans near London England, Mauro moved to the United States when he was three years old, growing up in Texas.
After emerging as a standout talent in high school, he played college football at Stanford University.
Mauro went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but was later signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, his stint with the Steelers was extremely brief with Mauro released during the team’s final roster cuts.
He ultimately landed with the Arizona Cardinals where his professional career truly began.
Mauro spent the majority of his career in Arizona, playing four seasons with the Cardinals from 2014 to 2017 before returning for a second stint from 2020 to 2021.
He established himself as a rotational defensive lineman and occasional starter. During the 2016 season, he started 13 games and recorded a career-high 42 tackles.
He also enjoyed stints with the New York Giants in 2018, the Oakland Raiders in 2019, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, before finishing his career back with the Cardinals following the 2021 season.
After the heartbreaking news of Mauro’s passing emerged, the football community took to social media to pay tribute to the former defenseman.
