Former Baltimore Raven and Indianapolis Colt Tony Siragusa passed away at the 55
Tony Siragusa was feared and beloved during his 12 NFL career. The former Baltimore Raven and Indianapolis Colt passed away on Wednesday morning.
Former Indiana Colt and Baltimore Raven defensive tackle Tony Siragusa passed away Wednesday at the age of 55. Reports are he died in his sleep early Wednesday morning.
Goose goes 12 years in NFL after not being drafted
Siragusa was one of the toughest defensive players on the ferocious Baltimore Raven defenses of the early 2000′s, but was also one of the most beloved characters in the league.
He went to the University of Pittsburgh after graduating from Kenilworth Brearley High School in New Jersey. He was getting national attention as the anchor of the Pitt defense in his sophomore and junior year.
“Goose” as he became know as tore his ACL the spring before his senior season and went from a potential first rounder to going undrafted out of college.
Siragusa was the anchor of the Ravens D in 2000s
The Indianapolis Colts took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent and he quickly made himself a staple of the Indy D. That year he played in 13 games and started 6 of them. Two years later he was starting at defensive tackle for the Colts.
Goose spent seven seasons in Indianapolis before going to the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. He would spend five season and win his one and only Super Bowl in 2000.
The 6′3″, 340 pound monster of the middle ate up offensive lineman making the life of linebackers like Ray Lewis to wreak havoc.
“This is a tough one,” Lewis said. “I love Goose like a brother. From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever. He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that.”
Larger than life on and off the field
Throughout his 12 year career he was known as the jolly giant that sparked a smile to everyone he came across, except opposing running and quarterbacks. That larger than life personality made for an easy transition from the gridiron to the airwaves. He joined FOX as a sideline reporter and analyst in 2015.
Well know as a practical joker, his larger than life personality made for an easy transition from the gridiron to the airwaves. He joined FOX as a sideline reporter and analyst in 2015. He also made his small screen debut playing Franke Cortese in the HBO series The Sopranos and his big screen debut in Edward Norton’s The 25th Hour.
Siragusa ended his career with 562 tackles, 22 sacks and nine fumble recoveries and a Super Bowl ring. The legacy his giant personality left will carry on for much longer.
Former Ravens teammate Brad Jackson said of Siragusa, “He was the leader, he was our captain. He meant everything to everyone. It’s a sad day. I just talked to him on Sunday. It’s terrible.’