Former NFL linebacker Neiron Ball died at the age of 27, leaving behind a powerful legacy along with a trail of tears from family, friends, teammates, and fans.
Neiron passed away after fighting to recover from a brain aneurysm that left him paralyzed in all four limbs, According to his sister Natalie Ball Myricks, former Gators star transitioned Tuesday at 4:15 a.m.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Ball was a member of the Gators from 2010-14. He missed the 2011 season after he underwent brain surgery to address a congenital condition called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which causes the brain’s blood vessels to get tangled and rupture.
Ball returned to the field in 2012 and finish his UF career with 94 tackles during 45 games. He was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, where he played one NFL season.
In the late summer of 2018, a blood vessel ruptured in Ball’s brain, beginning his rapid decline.
While Ball’s health declined this summer, his family launched a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 to help offset the cost of his care. In a matter of days, the fund has raised more than $120,000, with significant contributions made by many of Ball’s former teammates.
More than 2,000 people contributed to assist Ball during his battle.
After learning of Ball’s death, former UF offensive tackle Trenton Brown, a close friend of Ball’s now with the Raiders himself, wrote, “Some tears you just don’t be prepared for,” and “Suffer no more.”
Ball was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. During his rookie season in 2015, he recorded his first career sack against the Cleveland Browns, but was placed on injured reserve in December of that same season due to a knee injury. Ball had nine tackles, a sack and a recovered fumble in two starts for the Raiders in 2015.
He will be missed.
