NFL

Tony Siragusa, Super Bowl Champion and NFL Broadcaster, Dies at 55

Siragusa played 12 seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Colts and Ravens

Tony Siragusa, Super Bowl champion and NFL broadcaster, dies at 55 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Tony Siragusa, a Super Bowl champion defensive tackle with the Baltimore Ravens and a former NFL broadcaster, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, the Ravens announced. He was 55 years old.

A cause of death has not been revealed.

“Renee and I are stunned and heartbroken to learn about the sudden passing of Tony Siragusa," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. "He was a special person and clearly one of the most popular players in Ravens history. Tony’s larger-than-life personality made an enormous impact on our organization and throughout the Baltimore community.

“On the football field, Goose was a difference-maker who contributed immeasurably to the success of many great Ravens defenses, including the record-setting 2000 Super Bowl team. Our deepest prayers and sympathies go out to Kathy, their three children and the rest of the Siragusa family."

Siragusa played 12 seasons in the NFL from 1990 to 2001, suiting up for the Ravens and Indianapolis Colts.

The Kenilworth, N.J., native actually went undrafted out of Pittsburgh in 1990 due to an ACL injury. The Colts signed Siragusa as an undrafted free agent and he went on to make 78 starts and 96 appearances over seven seasons with the team.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was "heartbroken" by Siragusa's death in a series of tweets:

Siragusa joined the Ravens as a free agent in 1997, beginning a five-year tenure in Baltimore. He was a starter on the team's iconic 2000 defense that led Baltimore all the way to a Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants.

“This is a tough one. I love Goose like a brother," Ravens legend Ray Lewis said in a statement via the team. "From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever. He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that. On the field, he was the ultimate competitor who brought out the best in all of us.

“We should never put off tomorrow for what we can do today. Hug your loved ones for Goose. We were all so blessed that God gave us that time together celebrating our 2000 team a few weeks ago. To the Siragusa family: We have lost a great man, but God has gained a great angel. May they be blessed, held and comforted by the peace he brought to everyone who encountered him.”

Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick's statement read: "There was no one like Goose – a warrior on the field and a team unifier with a giving, generous heart who helped teammates and the community more than most people know. We would not have won the Super Bowl without him. This is such stunning, sad news, and our hearts go out to Kathy and the Siragusa family.”

"The Goose" finished his NFL career with 148 starts, 22 sacks and 564 total tackles in 169 games. He made another eight starts over his three playoff appearances (1995, 2000 and 2001).

After hanging up the cleats, Siragusa worked as an NFL analyst and sideline reporter at FOX for nearly a decade. His final season with FOX was in 2015.

Earlier Wednesday, the Ravens announced the death of 26-year-old linebacker Jaylon Ferguson.

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