Former NFL star Antonio Dennard has been shot dead outside a bar in Reading, Pennsylvania, authorities say.
Dennard, 32, was pronounced dead in hospital after being shot outside the Legends bar and restaurant in Muhlenberg Township early on Sunday morning, the Berks County coroner’s office told WFMZ.
The Muhlenberg Township police department and the Berks County district attorney are investigating and have ruled his death a homicide, WFMZ reported.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Dennard, who played defensive back, spent time with the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars during a five-year professional career.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Dennard played college football at Langston University in Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in health and fitness in 2012.
He was signed by the Jaguars out of college in 2012 before linking up with the Packers the following year. He was briefly signed to the Giants before returning to Green Bay for two further seasons.
Dennard went on to play two seasons for the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League from 2015 to 2017.
After his playing career finished, he took up coaching young players.
Dennard’s former college football coach Brandon Roberts paid tribute to him in a post on Facebook.
“I would talk to the NFL Scout’s about how great of a person you were and how much of a stand up kid you were,” Mr Roberts wrote.
“I remember us sitting in the meeting room talking to the 49ers, Jets, Jaguars, Packers and Eagles. I know today you have received your wings RIP.”
Another former teammate wrote in a Facebook post that Dennard “set the bar for (Langston University) boys”.
“I’ll remember everything you taught me. What a great mentor, friend, and coach. You inspired so many around you,” wrote Sidtrell Grayson.
