Former Packers lineman Bill Ferrario was found dead in his Wisconsin home on Wednesday — two days after his 47th birthday.
Ferrario, who starred as a four-year starter at the University of Wisconsin, died unexpectedly, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. A cause of death was not announced.
Ferrario first made a name for himself as a standout at West Scranton High School in Pennsylvania.
“Billy was a true gentleman,” former West Scranton quarterback Corey Joyce told the outlet. “He was a literal Eagle Scout. Once he stepped onto the football field, he was a totally different person. He was an all-around great guy.”
The Scranton, Pa. native earned honorable mention all-star honors as a junior and senior. In 1997, he committed to the University of Wisconsin, where he never missed a game on the Badgers’ offensive line.
Ferrario started in 50 games for Wisconsin from 1997 to 2000 and was named First-team All-Big Ten in 1999 and Second-team in 2000.
His blocking helped star running back Ron Dayne win 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 2001 NFL Draft and spent two seasons in Green Bay.
“It was definitely an honor to be able to be part of that offensive line, to be part of those teams with the Packers,” Ferrario told The C.S. Podcast in 2013. “To be able to tell my kids as they grow up, it wasn’t for a long time but your dad got to block for Brett Favre, one of the best quarterbacks ever.”
Ferrario also played for the then-Redskins and Panthers before retiring from professional football in 2005.
After his playing days, he moved back home to Wisconsin and pursued careers in real estate and medical sales, as well as charity work. He also hosted his own sports and lifestyle podcast titled “217 South Mills.”
Ferrario also found himself in legal trouble in recent years — he was sentenced to probation last year for drunk driving and domestic incident convictions.
He is survived by his two children.
In his final social media post, Ferrario gushed over being a “proud parent” as he celebrated his daughter’s graduation day.
“Words can’t express how proud I am of my daughter on her graduation,” Ferrario said in May. “Watching her grow, work hard, and chase her goals has been one of the greatest joys of my life.