Former Patriots defensive tackle Ron Brace has died from an unknown cause, Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com reports. Police recovered the body on Saturday night after being dispatched to Brace’s Springfield, Mass., home for an unattended death. He was 29.
The cause of Brace’s death was not deemed suspicious, Police Capt. Robert Strzempek told Duffy. The Hampden County Medical Examiner’s Office is now in charge of the case, Duffy reports.
A Springfield native, Brace played four seasons for his local team after the Patriots selected the 6-foot-3, 330-pound nose tackle in the second round of the 2009 draft.
Brace played in 40 games with the Pats, including the 2011 AFC championship game against the Ravens. He played his entire football career in Massachusetts, including a standout stay at Boston College from 2005-08. Once with New England’s professional franchise, Brace started seven games in 2009-10 before serving as a depth player in the following two seasons.
Brace finished his Boston College career with 22 tackles for loss and five sacks.
“We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Brace’s death,” a statement released by the Patriots late Sunday afternoon said. “Seven years ago tomorrow (4/25/09), we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass.
“It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ron’s family, friends and the many former teammates who will mourn Ron’s passing.”
Falcons quarterback and Brace’s former Boston College teammate, Matt Ryan, also offered his condolences (on Twitter).
We at PFR offer our thoughts and condolences to Brace’s family and friends.
HATE THE PATS but DAMN THATS WAY TOO FRIGGING YOUNG. RIP YOUNG MAN