The late NFL player retired from football in 2001 but remained a part of the sports world as a sideline analyst of the games from 2003 to 2015 on Fox Network.
The news of his death on June 22, 2022, came as a shock to his previous teammates and fans alike as it came just a day after the Baltimore Ravens lost their linebacker, Jaylon Ferguson.
“This is a tremendously sad day for the Baltimore Ravens. We appreciate everyone who has expressed an outpouring of support for our players, coaches, and staff,” said Steve Bisciotti, the team’s owner.
Tony Siragusa died in his sleep at 55 years old – His family has a history of heart disease
Tony Siragusa was only 55 years old when he suddenly passed away in his sleep at his Ortley Beach home in Toms River, New Jersey. Investigations revealed that he was administered CPR at 11:45 am shortly before his death, as evidenced by a dispatch call that came from his home.
After the police and emergency medical services arrived at the scene, Siragusa was pronounced dead. The immediate cause of his death is not known as the autopsy results are still pending.
As mentioned by Siragusa in a 2012 interview with Howard Stern, his family has a history of heart disease. When he was young, his father died of a ‘massive heart attack’ at the age of 48. In a similar case, Siragusa and his brother performed CPR on their father right before he passed away.
“In the middle of the night, I hear my mother screaming. Me and my brother ran in there. And he was like gasping for air … I’m like trying to push his chest in and stuff. We were just holding onto him,” he recalled.
Considering that heart diseases ran in his family, it is possible that a heart attack claimed Siragusa’s life.
“If I die tomorrow, I told my wife, just put a smile on my face. Put a little Frank Sinatra on,” said Siragusa about his potential death in an interview.
