Baltimore Ravens legend Tony Siragusa dead at 55

BALTIMORE —

UPDATE (June 27): Funeral arrangements have been announced as follows:

Visitation will be on Tuesday at St. Theresa Church, 541 Washington Ave., Kenilworth, New Jersey from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A funeral mass will be on Wednesday at St. Theresa Church at 11 a.m. Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to to Make-A-Wish New Jersey, 50 Millstone Road, Bldg. 200, Ste. 130, East Windsor, NJ, 08520

ORIGINAL STORY (June 22): Former Baltimore Ravens player Tony Siragusa has died, sources confirmed to 11 Sports Director Gerry Sandusky.

Siragusa was found unresponsive in his New Jersey home Wednesday morning by his son. He was 55.

Sandusky described the defensive tackle as a legend who never lost the playfulness of a young man. Known simply as “Goose,” Siragusa was a huge force on the field, an anchor to the Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV defense.

But he was equally impactful off the field with his playful nature and flair for pulling pranks on teammates and coaches. One couldn’t spend five minutes in his company and not find themselves doubled over in laughter as he recounted the stories of his 12-year NFL career.

Siragusa spent seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and five with the Ravens. Earlier this month, Siragusa returned to Baltimore for an ESPN “30-for-30” documentary at the Meyerhoff, where, again, his stories stole the night.

Earlier, Siragusa attended his son’s graduation at Villanova University, a milestone he had often talked about wanting to see since his own father died of a heart attack in his mid-40s.

Ravens owners Steve and Renee Bisciotti released a statement: “Renee and I are stunned and heartbroken to learn about the sudden passing of Tony Siragusa. He was a special person and clearly one of the most popular players in Ravens history. Tony’s larger-than-life personality made an enormous impact on our organization and throughout the Baltimore community. On the football field, Goose was a difference-maker who contributed immeasurably to the success of many great Ravens defenses, including the record-setting 2000 Super Bowl team. Our deepest prayers and sympathies go out to Kathy, their three children and the rest of the Siragusa family. This is a tremendously sad day for the Baltimore Ravens. We appreciate everyone who has expressed an outpouring of support for our players, coaches and staff.”

Retired 11 Sports reporter and WBAL NewsRadio host Keith Mills described Goose as “the modern day Art Donovan, and in Baltimore, that’s the ultimate compliment. Artie would join us once a year on our radio show. Goose would buy him a case of Schlitz and let ‘er rip. The crowds at The Barn were (standing room only) and spilling into Harford Road classic!”

WBAL NewsRadio’s Melissa Kim spoke to former Ravens defensive tackle Sam Adams, who was on the Super Bowl-winning defensive line with Siragusa in 2001. Adams said: “When people think of playing defensive line, we changed the way people think of us. This was a special man on the field. I was the only new guy on the line the year I came in. Tony was accepting of me and welcomed me in. It was truly a blessing to know him.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott released a statement, saying: “My heart is with Tony Siragusa’s loved ones as well. This has been a tough day for our Ravens family. I will never forget watching that 2000 Ravens team win the Super Bowl with the best defense ever to grace the NFL, and Tony was an integral part of that history-making defensive front. They brought pride and recognition to Baltimore, and we are forever grateful for that.”