The sports world was shaken last month by the tragic passing of former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Josh Mauro at just 35 years old. Now, the official cause of death has been revealed.

According to records from the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, as reported by the Associated Press, Mauro died from a drug overdose involving a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol. The medical examiner's office has ruled the death accidental, a sobering reminder of the dangers these substances pose.

Mauro carved out a solid eight-year NFL career, spending three separate stints with the Cardinals. He first joined the team from 2013 to 2017, then returned for the 2020 season and a brief period in 2021. Over his eight seasons in the league, Mauro appeared in 80 games, racking up 130 career tackles and five sacks. His time in Arizona was particularly impactful—across 55 games with 29 starts, he recorded 83 tackles, four sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

In the wake of the news, the Cardinals organization released a heartfelt statement honoring Mauro's memory and contributions to the team. His passing serves as a poignant moment for the NFL community, reminding us all of the challenges athletes face beyond the gridiron.