Josh Mauro, who spent most of NFL career with Cardinals, dies at 35
Josh Mauro, a former defensive end who spent six of his eight NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, has died at the age of 35.
“With many tears and broken hearts, but anchored in the unwavering certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and regenerated – living in the presence of the Lord – we humbly covet your prayers as our family navigates the devastating loss of our incredible son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” Mauro’s family said in a statement posted Tuesday on Facebook by his father, Greg Mauro.
“On Thursday, April 23, Josh took his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.
“The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable time. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words could ever express.”
No cause of death was given.
A graduate of LD Bell High in Hurst, Texas, Mauro played four seasons at Stanford before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014 as an undrafted free agent. He was cut before the start of the season, but landed with Arizona, where he played in 57 games, with 26 starts, over the next four years.
Mauro then played for the New York Giants in 2018 and the Oakland Raiders in 2019 before finishing his career with two more seasons in Arizona. He played in 80 total games, with 40 starts, and had five sacks and 130 total tackles.
Raiders star Maxx Crosby, who played with Mauro during his rookie season in Oakland, shared a heartfelt video about X mourning the loss of his friend.
“I love you brother, and I know you’ve had my back since day one,” a visibly upset Crosby said. “I mean, you were the first and probably only veteran to text me when I was drafted. We were from the same area in Texas, DFW [Dallas-Fort Worth]literally just down the street. I’ve known and admired who you were from afar for a long time, someone I admired from Texas. I can’t believe you’re gone.
According to Crosby, he and Mauro lived in the same building during their time with the Raiders.
“We used to drive to work, drive back from work every day to Alameda and Oakland and we [funny] conversations,” Crosby said. “Just talk about everything. …Man, I wish I could talk to you one more time, bro.
Adrian Wilson, a former player who was a member of the Cardinals scouting department when Mauro was with the team, was among other members of the football world who paid tribute to him.
“Always in good shape, always ready to go wherever he got that call,” Wilson wrote on X. “One of the things I respected most about him. You could count on him.”
The Cardinals said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who knew him. We offer our deepest condolences to all who mourn this loss.”
The Raiders said in a statement they mourned the loss of Mauro and sent “our deepest condolences” to his family and friends.
Stanford Football wrote on X that it was “heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro.”
“A 2013 All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection, Mauro was an integral part of four bowl teams, helping Stanford to two Rose Bowl Game appearances,” the team wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
