The 28-year-old son of legendary NFL player Ray Lewis died of an accidental drug overdose on Wednesday, according to a report.
Ray Lewis III was found unconscious around 5 p.m. in a home in Casselberry, 13 miles north of downtown Orlando.
The college athlete was lying naked in a room between a bed and a wall when police and paramedics arrived. He wasn’t breathing.
One friend performed CPR, while another friend screamed for Narcan – the chemical used to reverse overdoses.
In the room, according to TMZ, was a blue pill found near Lewis’s 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 in an empty beer can.
Casselberry police captain Michael Schaefer said in a statement: “One of our officers used his spent narcan on Lewis, but there was no change in his condition.”
Ray Lewis Jr, 28, was found dead Wednesday afternoon at a home near Orlando, Florida
Former NFL player Ray Lewis, right, and his son Ray Lewis III watch the 2013 Miami Heat game
The Seminole County Fire Department transported Lewis from the South Sunset Drive estate to the Advent Health Hospital in Altamonte Springs, where he was pronounced dead.
Ray Lewis, his father, is a former NFL star who played his entire 17-year career for the Baltimore Ravens.
He is widely regarded as 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.
However, he failed as a college football superstar and had recently been working on his music career.
Lewis III played for the Miami Hurricanes, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Virginia Union Panthers while in college
Ray Lewis III, right, poses for photos with his father, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
His last social media post was in December where he posed at his sibling’s baby shower.
He wrote: ‘BIG UNCLE RAY RAY!!! I’m running for the boss in the long run!! New chapter! new beginnings!’
Lewis III’s younger brother, Rahsaan, alluded to his brother’s mental health issues on social media.
“I honestly can’t believe I’m typing this but RIP big brother,” he wrote.
‘A real angel. I pray you are at peace now because I know how much pain you have truly been in. I have and never will have the words man, because this pain here… I love you, I love you, I love you.
“Your niece is going to miss you, but she will hear about you again and again, just watch over all of us, big bruh, be our guardian. I promise to make you smile and proud.”
Virginia Union assistant head coach Diego Ryland 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. Wonderful young man.’
Former college football player Ray Lewis III has passed away at the age of 28. His cause of death, which was announced Thursday, has not been confirmed
Tributes poured in for the former college football player, who had left to pursue a music career
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida where he played on their track and football teams
Lewis III attended Lake Mary High School in Florida where he played on their track and football teams.
During his high school career, he rushed for 1,898 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. In his senior season, he rushed for 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 a splash on the Miami soccer team, he transferred to Coastal Carolina University in 2015.
In January 2016, he was arrested at the University of South Carolina on charges of sexual assault.
He was indicted by a South Carolina grand jury on charges of third-degree criminal assault and kicked off the college football team.
But months later, the claims were dropped after a lengthy investigation by South Carolina law enforcement.
Lewis III had recently been working on his music career after trying to follow in his NFL father’s footsteps and play college football
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis. He is considered the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history
“We felt very strongly from the beginning that this young man was not guilty of anything,” his lawyer, Tony Brittain, said at the time.
“I’m just relieved that the prosecutors investigated so thoroughly and reached a similar conclusion that this case should not go forward.”
Court records of the investigation showed numerous discrepancies in the charges.
In 2021, Lewis III signed with the Wyoming Mustangs of the Champions Indoor Football League.