Former New Orleans Saints Linebacker Ronald Powell Dies at 32
He was a former No. 1-ranked high school football recruit who fought through an injury-plagued college career to earn a place on the 2014 New Orleans Saints.
Alex Menendez/Getty Images
Ronald Powell, a former No. 1-ranked high school football recruit and eventual NFL linebacker, has died, according to the NFL Player’s Association. He was 32.
The union announced his passing in a statement on its NFLPA Former Players’ X account, though it did not disclose a date or cause of death.
“Today we mourn the loss of Ronald Powell — a father, a brother, and a son who was loved and cherished by so many. We send comfort to all those who knew Ronald,” the statement read.
Powell was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, and played for much of his rookie season before being placed on the injured reserve list and ultimately waived. He later played on several practice squads around the league, according to multiple reports.
Powell was last active with the Alliance of American Football League’s Orlando Apollos in 2019, the same year that the league ended operations.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Prior to his professional career, he was a heralded recruit for the Florida Gators, ranked No. 1 in the class of 2010. He was a standout for the Gators during his college career—though he was plagued by injuries, including two knee surgeries that cost him an entire season in 2012.
News of Powell’s death brought tributes from across the football world, including from his alma mater.
“We’re very saddened to learn about the passing of former Gators player Ronald Powell,” the school wrote on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
I Love You Forever till we meet again an EXCELLENT FATHER Respected Brother and a Loving Son I am saddened to shared with the rest of the world that Ronald Powell Transitioned Earlier today. REST IN POWER RONALD POWELL ….. pic.twitter.com/Rx9dS7J4S5
— SACKMAN LIVES (@JuniorGalette93) January 15, 2024
His former Saints teammate Junior Galette first posted about Powell’s death Monday night, calling him an “EXCELLENT FATHER Respected Brother and a Loving Son.”
“I am saddened to shared with the rest of the world that Ronald Powell Transitioned Earlier today. REST IN POWER RONALD POWELL …..” he wrote.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.