Former NFL player and Notre Dame star Louis Nix was found dead on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida after being reported missing last week. He was 29-years-old. The cause of death has not been announced.
According to ESPN, Nix’s family reported the athlete missing on Wednesday. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s office also said he was last seen leaving his father’s home around 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
On Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tweeted that Nix was found, but didn’t mention his condition.
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Brian Kelly, head football coach at Notre Dame, shared a video tribute and tweeted, “Louis Nix, ‘Irish Chocolate,’ we carry these memories until we see you again.” Kelly initially issued a tweet on Saturday asking for public help to locate Nix upon hearing the news.
Nix, a defensive tackled, played for three seasons at Notre Dame before be was drafted in 2014 by the Houston Texans. He never played due to a series of knee injuries. He went on to play four games for the New York Giants in 2015, according to ESPN.
In December, Nix was injured during a shooting at an airport gas station after he was robbed while filing his car’s tires. He spent 10 days in the hospital. Nix tweeted to his followers, “Thank you all for the positive energy and prayers.”
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Supporters took to Twitter to send their condolences to the family including Notre Dame Football who tweeted, “We are saddened by the loss of one of our own, Louis Nix III. We send our deepest condolences and love to his family, friends and football brotherhood. Forever in our hearts, Big Lou.”
Tajh Boyd tweeted a video of Nix with the caption, “Tragedy for sure, Louis Nix had an aura that was rare. Blessings to mans family.”
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