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Beloved Ravens star Tony Siragusa dies 'in his sleep' at age 55
Tony Siragusa, a longtime NFL player and fan favorite, has died aged 55.
Siragusa's broadcast agent, Jim Ornstein, confirmed his death to The Associated Press on Wednesday. The cause of death has not been made public, but Siragusa reportedly died in his sleep on Monday.
'This is a really sad day,' Ornstein said. 'Tony was way more than my client, he was family. My heart goes out to Tony's loved ones.'
The massive 6-foot-4, 360-pound defensive tackle and native was a beloved member of a Baltimore Ravens team that beat the New York Giants in XXXV at the end of the 2000 NFL season.
Siragusa went on to act in several episodes of 's Sopranos and became a sideline reporter for Fox's NFL broadcasts. He also hosted shows on the Discovery Channel and DIY Network.
Siragusa's death came on what was already a tragic day for the Ravens, following the death of 26-year-old linebacker Jaylon Ferguson.
(image: ) Tony Siragusa (pictured), the charismatic defensive tackle who helped lead a stout Baltimore defense to a Super Bowl title, has died at age 55. Siragusa's broadcast agent, Jim Ornstein, confirmed the death Wednesday
(image: ) Tony Siragusa, defensive tackle for the Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens, holds the Vince Lombardi trophy as he rides with his wife, Kathy, in a parade in his hometown of Kenilworth, New Jersey on March 4, 2001
(image: ) (image: ) The gregarious Siragusa was a fan favorite as a sideline reporter and with other audiences
(image: ) Siragusa holds The Tampa Tribune newspaper declaring the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV win
'He was the leader, he was our captain,' Siragusa's former Ravens teammate Brad Jackson told NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. 'He meant everything to everyone. It's a sad day. I just talked to him on Sunday. It's terrible.'
Owner Steve Bisciotti called it a 'tremendously sad day for the Baltimore Ravens' and said the club appreciates 'everyone who has expressed an outpouring of support for our players, coaches and staff.'
As for Siragusa, the gregarious former University of Pittsburgh star told Howard Stern in 2012 that heart disease runs in his family, adding that his father died of a heart attack at 48.
'If I die tomorrow, I told my wife, just put a smile on my face,' Siragusa told Stern. 'Put a little [Frank] Sinatrlook at this now David Brearley High School in New Jersey. He then played collegiately at Pittsburgh, where his reputation for wisecracks began well before his NFL career.
'If I wanted to learn a school song, I would've gone to Notre Dame or Penn State,' he once said. 'I want to kill people on the football field. That's why I came to Pitt.'
Undrafted out of college, Siragusa caught on with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990 and quickly gained a reputation for eating up blockers to allow other defenders to attack ball carriers.
The man known as 'Goose' later signed with the Ravens in 1997, joining what would become one of the most feared defenses in NFL history.
In the Ravens' 2000 championship season, Siragusa was sixth among Baltimore defenders with 75 tackles. He finished his career with 22 sacks.
Siragusa is survived by his wife Kathy and three children, Samantha, Ava, and Anthony Jr.
(image: ) (image: ) Undrafted out of college, Siragusa caught on with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990 and quickly gained a reputation for eating up blockers to allow other defenders to attack ball carriers. The man known as 'Goose' later signed with the Ravens in 1997, joining what would become one of the most feared defenses in NFL history
(image: ) Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Tony Siragusa (right) waves to the crowd as his daughter, Samantha Rose (left), looks on during the Ravens' Super Bowl victory parade in January 2001
(image: ) Tony Siragusa talks with the media prior to play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium in January 2001
(image: ) Tony Siragusa is pictured during the American Football Conference Central game against the Cincinnati Bengals in September 1997
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Siragusa was popular with fans because of his fun-loving personality, which also helped him transition quickly to broadcasting after his playing career.
'There was no one like Goose - a warrior on the field and a team unifier with a giving, generous heart who helped teammates and the community more than most people know,' said Brian Billick, the coach of that Super Bowl-winning team. 'We would not have won the Super Bowl without him. This is such stunning, sad news.'
'I love Goose like a brother. From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever,' his former teammate Ray Lewis said. 'He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that.'
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'Tony truly was bigger than life, on and off the field,' current Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. 'He played the game passionately and relentlessly. Despite not being drafted, he thrived in the NFL for 12 years. His post-football life took him so many places but he never forgot Pitt. We could always count on him to send the best recorded pep talks to our guys before our biggest games.'
News of Siragusa's death came after the team announced 26-year-old linebacker Jaylon Ferguson had died on Tuesday. Baltimore police have yet to reveal a cause, but said Wednesday they found him unresponsive at a Baltimore residence at around 11.25pm, responding to a report of a 'questionable death.'
Ferguson was treated by medics at the scene, cops said, but 'never regained consciousness.'
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are not ruling out the possibility of an overdose.
(image: ) Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26, the team said in a statement Wednesday. Ferguson was found unresponsive by police at a Baltimore residence Tuesday night. He was pronounced dead at the scene
(image: ) In a tribute to the star, the Ravens said Ferguson - a father of three - was 'lost much too soon'
(image: ) Ferguson is survived by his three kids and wife Doni Smith. The family of five are pictured during a visit to Disney World in January. The pair welcomed their youngest Demi, a baby girl (pictured being held by Smith), late last year
A father of three who had been carving himself a spot on Baltimore's roster, the death comes as a shock to NFL fans and members of the league.
Ferguson was reportedly in the best shape of his career, participating in all of the team's offseason practices for the past three months. Coaches said the linebacker - who saw considerable playing time last season - had also shed a significant amount of weight.
Cops said they did not suspect foul play in the case, but are investigating the incident as an 'open questionable death' until a cause of death is determined.
Police said there were no signs of trauma on the athlete's body.
His body was taken to the medical examiner's office early Wednesday, where a cause of death will be determined.
In a tribute to the fallen star Wednesday, the Ravens said Ferguson was 'lost much too soon.'
'We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,' the team wrote.
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