The NFL world is mourning the death of Tony Siragusa, the 12-year NFL veteran and TV personality who died in his sleep on Wednesday at the age of 55.
“He was the leader, he was our captain,” Brad Jackson, Siragusa’s former teammate with the Ravens, told Pro Football Network. “He meant everything to everyone. It’s a sad day. I just talked to him on Sunday. It’s terrible.”
“I’m heartbroken as is all of Colts Nation,” Colts’ owner Jim Irsay tweeted.
“Please tell me the Tony Siragusa news is a hoax,” former NFL tight end Dorin Dickerson tweeted.
Tony Siragusa (l.) and Rob Burnett AFP via Getty Images
Ravens legend Ray Lewis, who won a Super Bowl alongside Siragusa in 2000, mourned Siragusa’s loss in a statement released by the franchise.
“This is a tough one. I love Goose like a brother,” Lewis said. “From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever. He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that. On the field, he was the ultimate competitor who brought out the best in all of us.
“We should never put off tomorrow for what we can do today. Hug your loved ones for Goose. We were all so blessed that God gave us that time together celebrating our 2000 team a few weeks ago.
“To the Siragusa family: We have lost a great man, but God has gained a great angel. May they be blessed, held and comforted by the peace he brought to everyone who encountered him.”
Tony Siragusa (right) with Michael Strahan (left) and Tiki Barber at a Fox Sports event in 2013.FilmMagic
Tony Siragusa, who played five of his twelve NFL seasons with the Ravens, died in his sleep at the age of 55. Getty Images
Siragusa’s death, compounded with the tragic death of Baltimore linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, combines to make “one of the saddest days in Ravens history,” according to the team’s radio play-by-play broadcaster, Gerry Sandusky.
This is one of the saddest days in Ravens history. The deaths of Jaylen Ferguson and Tony Siragusa on the same day leaves every Ravens fan stunned. A player so young with potential, and a legend who brought so joy and impact to the field. Gone. Tough to wrap your head around.
— Gerry Sandusky (@GerrySandusky) June 22, 2022
“Proud Pitt Man. Super Bowl Champion. “The Goose,” Forever,” the official University of Pittsburgh football account tweeted, mourning Siragusa, who starred for the Panthers collegiately.
The NFL community also circulated an interview that Siragusa conducted with Howard Stern in 2012. Siragusa mentioned that his father died of a heart attack at just 48 years old.
this is chilling
Tony Siragusa just passed away at 55 years old
here he is talking about his dad’s heart attack at age 48 & how he held his dad in his arms as he passed
Tony talking about his own mortality & wanting Sinatra played is 💔
RIP Goosepic.twitter.com/lHHR68yeQF
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 22, 2022
“If I die tomorrow, I told my wife, just put a smile on my face. Put a little [Frank] Sinatra on,” Siragusa told Stern.