It has come to light that Ray Lewis III, the son of renowned Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, overdosed on drugs and passed away.
Lewis III, who was discovered unresponsive in his house in Central Florida on Wednesday, was later declared dead at the age of 28, according to ESPN. An overdose was indicated as the likely cause of death in a police report that ESPN got on Saturday.
In a statement, the Casselberry Police Department said: “The evidence and witness accounts show this incident to be a tragic accident.”
The opioid overdose antidote naloxone was required, according to the police report, and while it was being delivered, attempts to resuscitate Lewis III were unsuccessful. The officer was at Lewis III’s residence when the police arrived and were informed by a resident that Lewis needed it.
Lewis III played collegiate football at the University of Miami, where he spent two years as a cornerback before moving to Coastal Carolina and then Virginia Union. Lewis III is the son of Jerry Lewis.
Lewis III made 37 tackles at Virginia Union in 2017 after recording 19 in his lone season at Coastal Carolina. The elder Lewis, 48, played for the Ravens from 1996 to 2012, a span of his 17-year NFL career.
Lewis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and was a 12-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team All-Pro, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Super Bowl victor, and one-time Super Bowl MVP.
As previously mentioned by Tru News Report, Rashaan Lewis III, Lewis III’s younger brother, broke the devastating news on Thursday.
“Really can’t believe I’m even typing this but RIP big brother,” Rashaan wrote in an Instagram story.
“A true angel. I pray your at peace now because ik [I know] how much you was really hurtin.”
“I don’t and won’t ever have the words man cuz this pain right here …. I love you I love you I love you.”
“Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I’ll make you smile and proud.”
The cause of death wasn’t known right away. At Lake Mary Prep in Florida, Lewis III was a standout running back. During his senior year, he carried the ball 190 times for 1,898 yards and 20 touchdowns. Before transferring to Coastal Carolina and then Virginia Union, Lewis III began his collegiate career at Miami (Fla.), the school where his father had graduated.
