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Former NFL player Josh Mauro died of a drug overdose, the California Post reported, citing the Maricopa County medical examiner.
The Post said Mauro died of “acute combined intoxication with fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol.”
Mauro’s death was ruled accidental, the outlet added.
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Josh Mauro of the Oakland Raiders is on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 29, 2019. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Greg Mauro, Josh’s father, announced his son’s death in a Facebook post last month, saying he died on April 23.
“With many tears and a broken heart, but anchored in the unwavering certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and regenerated – let us live in the presence of the Lord – we humbly covet your prayers as our family navigates the devastating loss of our incredible son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” Greg Mauro wrote in the post.
“On Thursday, April 23, Josh took his last breath on this Earth and his first breath in Heaven. 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.”
Quarterback Sam Darnold of the New York Jets greets defensive end Josh Mauro of the Oakland Raiders after the Jets’ 34-3 victory at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on November 24, 2019. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Mauro entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014. But the Steelers didn’t retain the 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end, cutting him in the final roster moves before the start of the season.
However, Mauro landed with the Arizona Cardinals, and he would spend the next four seasons in the desert helping their defensive line.
In six seasons with the Cardinals, Mauro collected 83 combined tackles and four sacks in 55 games (29 starts). He established himself as a starter in 2016, when he recorded seven tackles for loss in 15 games.
Mauro also spent time with the New York Giants and then the Oakland Raiders before returning to the Cardinals for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Mauro was born in England, where his father worked. He would eventually leave England for Texas and build a high school resume that would allow him to play Division I football at Stanford.
Josh Mauro of the Arizona Cardinals prepares to play against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 2, 2022. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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In 80 career games, Mauro has five sacks, 130 combined tackles (20 for loss), two forced fumbles and five passes defensed.
