Former Packers Lineman Bill Ferrario was found dead on Wednesday in his house in Wisconsin – two days after his 47th birthday.
Ferrario, who played as a four -year -old starter at the University of Wisconsin, died unexpectedly, according to the Scranton Times Tribune. A cause of death was not announced.
Ferrario made a name for himself for the first time as a highlight at the West Scranton High School in Pennsylvania.
“Billy was a real gentleman,” former West Scranton Quarterback Corey Joyce told the outlet. “He was a literal Eagle Scout. Once he got up the football field, he was a totally different person. He was an all-round great guy.”
The Scranton, Pa. Native earned honorable mention All-Star Honors as a junior and senior. In 1997 he worked at the University of Wisconsin, where he never missed a competition on the offensive line of the badgers.
Ferrario started in 50 games for Wisconsin from 1997 to 2000 and was named first Team All-Big ten and the second team in 2000 in 2000 in 1999.
His blocking helped Star to run back Ron Dayne won the Heisman Trophy in 1999 and Wisconsin won back-to-back Rose Bowls.
Ferrario was selected by the packers in the fourth round of the NFL design of 2001 and spent two seasons in Green Bay.
“It was definitely an honor to be part of that attacking line, to be part of those teams with the packers,” Ferrario told The CS Podcast In 2013. “To be able to tell my children while they grow up, it wasn’t long, but your father had to block for Brett Favre, one of the best Quarterbacks ever.”
Ferrario also played for the then Redskins and Panthers before he withdrew from professional football in 2005.
After his match days, he moved back to Wisconsin and continued career in real estate and medical sales, as well as charity work. He also organized his own sports and lifestyle podcast entitled “217 South Mills.”
Ferrario was also in legal problems in recent years – he was convicted of probation Last year for drunk driving and domestic incident convictions.
He is survived by his two children.
In his last social media post, Ferrario stumbled over a ‘proud parent’ while celebrating his daughter’s special day.
“Words cannot express how proud I am of my daughter at her graduation,” Ferrario said in May. “Seeing is one of the greatest pleasures of my life growing, working hard and haunting her goals.
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