The mother of late NFL defensive end Josh Mauro reflected on the sudden death of her son at age 35 on Thursday, April 23.
“We are drawing our strength from the LORD,” Jeri Mauro wrote via Facebook on Tuesday, April 28. “Thankful for our family and friends.”
Josh’s cause of death has not been revealed. His family initially announced his death on Tuesday in a statement also shared via Facebook.
“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,” the statement began. “On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.”
The post concluded, “The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable moment. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words could ever express.”
Josh played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams, totalling 130 tackles and five sacks in his career. In the hours since news of his death began to spread, his former teams and teammates have shared their tributes.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the Arizona Cardinals said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”
Former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson added a statement of his own via X, writing, “Prayers go out to Josh Mauro and his family. Had the opportunity to be around Josh for several years with BA. 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.”
Maxx Crosby, who played with Josh while he was on the Oakland Raiders in 2019, uploaded an emotional video via X to share his thoughts.
“I’m sick to my stomach, to be honest,” he said. “Josh, I love you, bro. I know you had my back since day one.”
After going undrafted in 2014 out of Stanford University, Josh broke in with the Cardinals later that year. He gained the reputation of being a hard worker who made the most of the chances he got on the field.
His teammate with the San Francisco 49ers, Arden Key, likened him to being another coach on the field in a 2019 story in the San Francisco Chronicle.
“He’s a second coach besides [defensive line coach Brentson Buckner],” Key, 29, said at the time. “He’s been with Buck, so he kind of knows the language.”
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