Former Jaguar Uche Nuwaneri, one of the team’s key players and seven seasons in the offensive line, died early Friday at his wife’s home in West Lafayette, Indiana, aged 38.
Nuwaneri was found unresponsive at his wife’s home at 1 a.m., according to a West Lafayette Journal & Courier report citing West Lafayette Police and Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello. I didn’t see any signs of cheating.
Nuwaneri was reportedly living in Atlanta, where he has business interests, and was visiting his wife.
Nuwaneri was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round in the 2007 draft from Purdue. He appeared in nine games, and as a rookie he started one game before replacing the injured Vince Manuwai in 2008, where he appeared in 15 games. When Manuwai returned the following season, Nuwaneri won the starting guard job at the other side, starting 13 of 16 games, allowing only half of his sacks and not taking a single penalty all season.
He ended up starting 76 consecutive games throughout the 2013 season before being released in March 2014.
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Nuwaneri played with consistency and toughness. He started every game in 2012 with a meniscus injury in his knee, explaining why he took it tough during the 2-14 season: “It couldn’t get any worse.
Former Jaguars center Brad Meester said, “He was such a great teammate. , was a very positive and very smart guy.I was lucky to have great guards on both sides.During my career, he was one of them and someone I could always count on. ”
“This is a huge shock,” Jaguars kicker Josh Scobie said, adding that he and Nuwaneri share a common bond with their Texas roots. I’m following him.” [in 2014] And he was a really nice guy, a football player. He was always one of the outspoken leaders in the locker room and one of the few offensive linemen who really showed an appreciation for kickers. ”
Dan Edwards, former director of communications for the Jaguars and now senior vice president of Traditions and Alumni, praised Nuwaneri’s intelligence and the two’s lively conversations on nearly every topic.
“Uche was always one of my favorite players,” Edwards said. “He was a very good player, but he was also a very down-to-earth, everyday guy, and he was very smart. He was a thinker, and I enjoyed talking to him. It’s really sad that you’re gone.”
Tony Khan, the Jaguars’ chief football strategy officer and son of owner Shad Khan, took to Twitter to offer his condolences.
“On behalf of the Jaguars Organization and my family, our thoughts are with the Uche family. [and] To my friends during this terrible time,” Tony Kahn posted.
Nwaneri ran multiple businesses in Atlanta. He owned clubs, property management companies, and sports consulting firms.
He was active on social media and enjoyed games and comics.His Twitter and his YouTube handles are “Observant Lineman”
Nuwaneri has not been shy about speaking out about the Jaguars, criticizing the team’s search for a coach before hiring Doug Pederson on social media.
Nuwaneri’s final tweet the day before he died was a tribute to football legend Pele, who passed away last week. His last YouTube post was to wish his followers and their families a Merry Christmas to him.
Funeral arrangements are pending.