The global American football community is in mourning this week after news broke that former National Football League defensive end Josh Mauro has passed away at the age of 35. His father, Greg Mauro, confirmed the news of his son’s death on social media last Thursday, though no details have been released regarding the cause of death at this time.
Born in St Albans, United Kingdom, while his father was working in the country, Mauro moved back to the United States with his family when he was just three years old. He went on to build an eight-year NFL career that spanned from 2014 to 2021, during which he took the field for 80 regular season games. Over the course of his professional tenure, he recorded impressive defensive stats including 150 total tackles and five quarterback sacks.
Mauro spent the majority of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, the franchise where he made his biggest long-term impact. The Cardinals released an official statement in response to his passing, expressing the organization’s deep grief over the loss. “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”
Beyond his time with the Cardinals, Mauro also had stints playing for three other NFL franchises: the New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Colleagues and former team executives have remembered him as a reliable, dedicated teammate who brought consistent preparation and professionalism to every practice and game.
Adrian Wilson, a former Cardinals player and front office executive who worked with Mauro under head coach Bruce Arians, shared fond memories of the late defensive end. “I had the opportunity to be around Josh for several years [with coach Bruce Arians],” Wilson said. “[Josh was] always in shape, always ready to go wherever he got that call. One of the things I respected most about him, you could depend on him.” As tributes continue to flow from across the league, the football community honors Mauro’s legacy as a hardworking player and valued teammate.