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'Beyond heartbreaking': Former NFL player dies at age 27

associated press

Former Oakland Raiders linebacker Neiron Ball, who played college football at Florida after recovering from brain surgery, has died at age 27.

Ball's sister, Natalie Ball Myricks, released a statement announcing her brother's passing early Tuesday.

Ball's agency, the Sports & Entertainment Group in Washington DC, confirmed his death to The Associated Press.

Ball's death came nearly a year after he suffered a brain aneurysm and was placed in a medically induced coma at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

In late July, the Ball family announced that the Georgia native was out of the coma but was a quadriplegic.

A GoFundMe effort raised nearly US$137,000 to help cover his medical expenses.

Neiron Ball, pictured here during a game for the Oakland Raiders in 2015.
Neiron Ball looks on during a game for the Oakland Raiders in 2015. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Former Florida teammates and current NFL players Jon Bullard, Jaylen Watkins, Max Garcia, Keanu Neal and Jordan Reed gave between $1,000 and $10,000 each.

Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack, who played with Ball in Oakland, gave $7,000.

“The Ball family is grateful for the prayers, donations and immense support of Neiron and his recovery,” Myricks said in her statement.

“Neiron was a very special and loving father, brother and teammate. Neiron has transitioned to a place of peace.”

Added the Sports & Entertainment Group: “Neiron was a rare and special spirit with the ability to touch anyone he met.

“His talent was met with relentless drive, no matter the obstacle. ... Neiron was a loving and cherished father, brother, and teammate. He will be missed dearly.”

Neiron Ball, pictured here after a game for the Florida Gators in 2014.
Neiron Ball walks off the field after a game for the Florida Gators in 2014. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Heath problems derailed career

Ball sat out his sophomore season at Florida in 2011 because of a congenital condition called arteriovenous malformation, which causes the brain's blood vessels to get tangled and rupture.

He recovered after a year away and played in 33 games - with 16 starts - during his final three seasons in Gainesville.

The Raiders selected Ball in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

He played in six games as a rookie before landing on injured reserve. He was on IR again in 2016 and then waived with a non-football injury designation in July 2017.

“Anybody that came in contact with Neiron Ball liked him,” former Florida coach and current South Carolina coach Will Muschamp told the Orlando Sentinel last month.

“I don't know if I could find anybody on earth that did not like Neiron Ball. He's just one of those people that just has that certain personality that is just electric with people.

“It's just really a sad situation.”