In the span of three seasons from 2022 through 2025, the NFL witnessed five heartbreaking instances of young players dying while still connected to the league. These losses, unfolding far too early and too unexpectedly, underscore the fragility of life even for elite athletes in the NFL.

What follows is a closer look at each case, acknowledging both the player and the broader questions their deaths raise for player health, support systems, and the demands of life in the NFL.

Jaylon Ferguson (June 21, 2022)

Ferguson, a 26-year-old outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, was found unresponsive at his home in Baltimore. His death came weeks after his birthday, cutting short a rising career. Medical reports cited the presence of fentanyl and cocaine, and while the full context remains

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