Former NFL Offensive Lineman Found Dead At 28

Korey Cunningham, a former New York Giants offensive lineman, was found dead inside his New Jersey home.

He was 28.

The Giants did not disclose a cause of death.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham,” the team said in a statement.

“He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates,” the statement added.

RIP Korey Cunningham

Once a Giant, Always a Giant
#nygiants pic.twitter.com/jMcw3seREs

— Bobby Spence (@postcrabcore) April 26, 2024

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham. He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates.

— New York Giants (@Giants) April 26, 2024

Per ESPN:

Clifton police on Thursday had to force their way into Cunningham’s house, where they found him deceased, according to a police spokesperson. Police are still investigating, but “foul play is not suspected at this time,” the spokesperson said.

Cunningham was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of Cincinnati. He also spent time with the New England Patriots before joining the Giants in 2021.

He played in 31 career games with six starts but dealt with foot injuries throughout his career. He had surgery as a rookie with the Cardinals and later with the Giants in 2022. Cunningham never played another game.

The 6-foot-6, 311-pound offensive lineman was known for his upbeat personality and big laugh. He was a favorite among teammates during his years with the Giants.

“The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Korey Cunningham. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Korey’s family, teammates and all who mourn his loss,” the New England Patriots stated.

The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Korey Cunningham.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Korey’s family, teammates and all who mourn his loss. pic.twitter.com/HPvOs6L8kj

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 26, 2024

“Law enforcement officials told local outlet RLS Media that his death was self-inflicted,” the New York Post reports.

Korey Cunningham, ex-Giants offensive lineman, dead at 28 https://t.co/vP3xkdeyL3 pic.twitter.com/KLwolZx1yp

— New York Post (@nypost) April 26, 2024

From the New York Post:

An unconscious man was reported at the residence Thursday, according to RLS Media, and police and emergency services arrived around 3:30 p.m. before the medical examiner removed the body roughly an hour later.

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After playing collegiately at Cincinnati, Cunningham was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cardinals.

He appeared in six games with the Cardinals — all starts — as a rookie, then was traded to the Patriots for a sixth-round pick. Cunningham spent two seasons with the Patriots, appearing in 12 games.

A plethora of Cunningham’s former teammates shared their heartbreak.

“D**n man,” Saquon Barkley, who played with Cunningham on the Giants, wrote on X.

“RIP Big Country man easily one of the happiest and best teammates i ever had fly high big fella,” Darius Slayton, who was also Giants teammates with Cunningham, posted on X.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

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