Former Patriots player Ron Brace dies at 29


Ron Brace, a 2009 second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots, has died, according to MassLive. He was 29.

Police were called to his house around 9 p.m. Saturday. The cause of death is still being investigated but is not considered suspicious, Springfield police Capt. Robert Strzempek told MassLive.

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Brace, from Springfield, Massachusetts, was a star defensive lineman at Boston College before a four-year Patriots career. He was released from the team in 2012.

"Seven years ago tomorrow, we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College," according to a statement from the Patriots. "During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass. It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us."