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
Mauro had stints with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders
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.
The English-born defenseman played college football at Stanford University after moving to the United States as a child
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.
Over the course of his seven-year career in the NFL, Mauro was briefly teammates with Maxx Crosby during his spell with the Oakland Raiders in 2019.
And Crosby, still a defensive star for the Raiders in Las Vegas, paid a moving tribute to him on X following the news of his death.
He said: ‘Damn I can’t believe I have to do this right now. I’m sick to my stomach to be honest. But my guy Josh Mauro just passed away recently.
‘Damn bro, I really don’t have words. I love you, bro, and I wish I could’ve done more for you. I wish I could’ve been there for you. It’s just tough man.
Maxx Crosby made an emotional tribute to his former Raiders teammate following his death
‘Sometimes you don’t talk as much and everybody’s got their own s*** going on and you could lose contact at times – but I’ll say this man, Josh I love you bro and I know you had my back since day one. You were the first and probably only vet to text me when I got drafted.
‘We came from the same area in Texas… I had known and admired who you were from afar for a long time – somebody I looked up to coming up in Texas. I cannot believe you’re gone, I truly can’t.
‘Your family, your brothers, your mom, love y’all… Every time I had something going on, even if I was wrong, you always jumped in my defense.
‘We all have our battles man and you never know what people are going through. I wish I could just talk to you one more time. It f***ing breaks my heart.
‘I love you though, bro. You were hilarious and a great human being. I just wish I could’ve been there for you. I love you bro. Rest in peace.’
The Cardinals, meanwhile, said about their former player: ‘We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro.
‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.’