Drugs Ruled Cause Of Death Of Former Ravens Running Back: Report

VIRGINIA — A former running back for the Baltimore Ravens reportedly lost his life to drugs.

Lorenzo Taliaferro died Dec. 16, 2020. He was 28.

At the time, his relatives said he died of a heart attack, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

On Monday, the newspaper reported the cause of death was cocaine and fentanyl intoxication. The Virginian-Pilot cited the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as its source.

The death of Taliaferro, who grew up in York County, Va., was ruled accidental, the newspaper reported.

Taliaferro played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2014 to 2017.

He died at a local hospital near Williamsburg, Va., according to WAVY-TV, an NBC affiliate out of Virginia, which reported Taliaferro was hospitalized after deputies were called to a Williamsburg home around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, for a person who needed medical attention.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lorenzo Taliaferro," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement in December upon learning of the former running back's death.

"Lorenzo was a kind, smart, respectful and determined young man – someone always committed to his teammates and well-liked by everyone in our organization," Harbaugh said. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Lorenzo's family. May he rest in peace."

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