Ex-NFL defensive end Josh Mauro dead at 35 as family shares emotional social media tribute

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Former NFL defensive end Josh Mauro has died, his family announced Tuesday. He was 35 years old.

Greg Mauro, Josh’s father, announced his son’s death in a Facebook post, saying he passed on April 23.

"With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made news – live in the presence of the Lord – we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend," Greg wrote in the post.

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Josh Mauro of the Oakland Raiders is on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sept. 29, 2019. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

"On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this Earth and his first breath in heaven. The Lord has been our strength in this unimaginable moment. Your prayers for continued strength and comfort mean more to us than words could ever express."

No cause of death was shared.

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Mauro entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014. But the Steelers didn’t hold on to the 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end long, cutting him during final roster moves before the start of the season. 

However, Mauro landed with the Arizona Cardinals, and he would spend the next four seasons in the desert helping their defensive line. 

Josh Mauro of the