The 28-year-old son of legendary NFL player Ray Lewis’s death on Wednesday was due to an accidental drug overdose, according to a report.
Ray Lewis Jr was found unresponsive at a house in Casselberry, 13 miles north of downtown Orlando, at around 5pm.
Police and paramedics found Lewis Jr lying naked in a room between a bed and a wall. He was not breathing.
One friend was performing CPR, while another friend was screaming for Narcan – the chemical used to reverse overdoses.
In the room, according to TMZ, was a blue pill near Lewis’ body, unofficially identified as Alprazolam – a sedative used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. They also found a used needle and a small plastic bag inside an empty beer can.
Casselberry Police Captain Michael Schaefer said in a statement: ‘One of our officers used his issued narcan on Lewis, but there was no change to his condition.’
Ray Lewis Jr, 28, was found dead in a house near Orlando, Florida on Wednesday afternoon
Former NFL player Ray Lewis, right, and his son Ray Lewis III watch the a Miami Heat game in 2013
The Seminole County Fire Department transported Lewis from the South Sunset Drive property to the Advent Health Hospital in Altamonte Springs, where he was declared dead.
Ray Lewis, his father, is a former NFL star who played for the Baltimore Ravens for his entire 17-year career.
He is widely considered to be the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history.
Like his son, he attended the University of Miami and played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.
Lewis Jr played for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers during his college career.
He failed to make it as a college football superstar, however, and had recently been working on his music career.
Lewis III played for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers during his time at college
Ray Lewis III, right, poses for photos with his father, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
His last post on social media was in December, where he posed at his sibling’s baby shower.
He wrote: ‘BIG UNCLE RAY RAY!!! I’m in it for the long haul boss!! New chapter! New Beginnings!’
Lewis III’s younger brother, Rahsaan, alluded on social media to his sibling’s mental health struggles.
‘Really can’t believe I’m even typing this but RIP big brother,’ he wrote.
‘A true angel I pray your at peace now because IK how much you was rlly hurtin. I don’t and won’t ever have the words man cuz this pain right here….I love you I love you I love you.
‘Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I’ll make you smile and proud.’
Diego Ryland, the associate head coach of Virginia Union, told TMZ: ‘Great young man and a better teammate.
‘The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray.’
Mark James, Lewis’ coach at Virginia Union, wrote: ‘Young man it was a pleasure to bring you to Virginia Union.
‘Ray Ray May God bless your family. Great young man.’
Former college football player Ray Lewis III has died at the age of 28. His cause of death, which was announced on Thursday, has not been confirmed
Tributes poured in for the former college football player, who had branched out to begin a music career
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida, where he starred in their track and football teams
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida, where he starred in their track and football teams.
During his high school career, he rushed 1,898 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. In his senior season, he rushed 676 yards and scored four touchdowns.
He then moved to the University of Miami in 2013 where he joined the Miami Hurricanes football team as a running back.
After failing to make waves in the football team in Miami, he transferred to Coastal Carolina University in 2015.
In January 2016, while at the South Carolina university, he was arrested on charges of sexual assault.
He was indicted by a South Carolina grand jury on a charge of third-degree criminal sexual assault and kicked off the college football team.
But months later the claims were dropped following a lengthy investigation by law enforcement officials in South Carolina.
Lewis III had recently been working on his music career after attempting to follow in his NFL father’s footsteps and play college football
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis. He’s considered to be the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history
‘We’ve felt very strongly from the beginning that this young man was not guilty of anything,’ said his attorney, Tony Brittain, at the time.
‘I’m just relieved that the prosecutors looked into it so thoroughly and came to a similar conclusion that this case shouldn’t go forward.’
Court records from the investigation showed numerous discrepancies in the allegations.
In 2021, Lewis III signed with the Wyoming Mustangs of the Champions Indoor Football league.
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