Former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive Uche Nwaneri died at age 38 on Friday, according to multiple reports.
Nwaneri was reportedly visiting West Lafayette, Ind. when his wife found him unresponsive at about 1 a.m. Friday morning. An autopsy indicated a heart attack, according to the Tippecanoe County coroner.
The Jaguars announced the death on Monday afternoon.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Uche Nwaneri. pic.twitter.com/UstPAT1i6U
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 2, 2023
Nwaneri was a fifth-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the Jaguars. After starting one game as a rookie, Nwaneri was a stalwart along the Jacksonville offensive line with 91 starts over his last six seasons with the team.
After his retirement, Nwaneri ran a YouTube channel called The Observant Lineman where he frequently broke down NFL film with an emphasis on the Jaguars.
Haven't checked any games today.
HOUSTON BEAT TENNESSEE?
JAGS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!
DIVISION BELONGS TO #duuuuval
— Uche Nwaneri The Observant Lineman♎ #Snydercut (@Chukwu77) December 24, 2022
Nwaneri wasn’t scared to share his opinions during his NFL career, once hopping on the Jaguars.com message board to rip the idea of drafting Tim Tebow.
After he was released by the team in 2014, Nwaneri briefly joined the Dallas Cowboys but never played a game with the team.
