Former New England Patriot Ron Brace Dies At 29 –

Ron Brace,  former Patriots defensive tackle, has died at 29 years old.

Boston College special teams coordinator/defensive line coach, who played on the Eagles’ defensive line with Brace, posted a note to Twitter. “Words cannot express how deeply saddened I am at the loss of my teammate my friend and my brother Ron Brace,” he tweeted, revealing that just two weeks ago Brace reached out to him for advice on becoming a coach.

The 6’6″, 330-pound lineman was a 2009 second-round draft choice for the New England Patriots. He played two seasons for the team before being placed on the “PUP” list in 2011. He was released in 2012 before signing with Washington in February 2013. He was later released that same year.

Brace’s death was confirmed by Massachusetts’ Springfield Police Department. An investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing.

“We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Brace’s death,” the Patriots said in a statement. “Seven years ago tomorrow, we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass. It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ron’s family, friends and the many former teammates who will mourn Ron’s passing.”

Please keep Brace’s family and friends in your prayers.