Ron Brace, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, died on Saturday, April 23, at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was 29.
The Springfield Police Department confirmed the news of Brace's death this weekend. Brace's cousin Shaunta Brace added in a separate interview with the Associated Press that the young athlete had died at his home, though his exact cause of death was not revealed.
Springfield Police Capt. Robert Strzempek told MassLive.com that while an investigation is ongoing, his death is not being treated as suspicious.
In the wake of Brace's sudden passing, the Patriots — who drafted the lineman from Boston College back in 2009 — released a statement mourning the team's former player. "We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Brace's death," the Patriots said. "Seven years ago tomorrow, we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass. It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ron's family, friends and the many former teammates who will mourn Ron's passing."
Other members of the NFL, including Brace's former Pats teammates, also took to social media to mourn him.
Saddened to hear about the passing of friend and former teammate Ron Brace. His smile was contagious. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
— Matt Ryan (@M_Ryan02) April 24, 2016
— Al Washington (@CoachWash56) April 24, 2016
Brace played for the Pats until 2012. He signed with the Washington Redskins in 2013, but did not play after being injured during the off-season.
