Cardinals ‘heartbroken’ after former defensive end Josh Mauro dies at age of 35

Former Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants defensive end Josh Mauro has died at the age of 35.

Mauro’s father, Greg, confirmed the news in a post on Facebook.

“With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new — living in the presence of the Lord — we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” Greg Mauro wrote. “On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.”

Two of Mauro’s former teams, the Cardinals and Raiders, paid tribute to the player. “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the Cardinals said in their statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”

Former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson remembered Mauro’s work ethic. “Always in shape, always was ready to go wherever he got that call. One of the things I respected most about him. You could depend on him,” Wilson wrote on social media.

Mauro was born in England, where his father was working at the time, and the family moved back to the US a few years later. After a standout high school career in Texas he played college football at Stanford, where he majored in management science and engineering.

He went undrafted but carved an eight-year NFL career with the Cardinals (2014-17 and 2020-21), the Giants (2018) and Raiders (2019). He finished his career with 150 tackles and five sacks over 80 games.

“Every Sunday when I take the field I appreciate it. I am grateful, and I embrace it. It’s a blessing to be out there. This game has been wonderful to me,” he said in 2017, when he returned to the UK to play with the Cardinals in London.

Mauro came from an athletic family and three of his brothers played college football.