One-time Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back Lorenzo Taliaferro has passed away due to a heart attack.
WBFF-TV sports director Bruce Cunningham confirmed his sudden death: York County VA Sheriff confirms that former Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro died tonight. They would not provide a cause of death, but a family member says it was a heart attack.
He signed with the Ticats in May 2018 and played in one pre-season game that year, making one defensive tackle and one special teams stop before being released on June 6.
Taliaferro played 19 NFL games with Baltimore from 2014 to 2016. The six-foot, 232-pound runner registered 82 rushing attempts for 339 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and five touchdowns while adding 16 receptions for 153 yards over three seasons with the Ravens.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lorenzo Taliaferro,” Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “Lorenzo was a kind, smart, respectful and determined young man — someone always committed to his teammates and well-liked by everyone in our organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Lorenzo’s family.”
“May he rest in peace.”
The Yorktown, Virginia native was selected by Baltimore in the fourth round, 138th overall during in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was fast for his size, running a 4.58 forty-yard time at the 2014 NFL Combine.
Prior to turning pro, Taliaferro played 27 games at Coastal Carolina University from 2012 to 2013. He compiled 356 rushing attempts for 2,106 yards and 32 touchdowns, plus 28 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns during his NCAA career with the Chanticleers. The physical back capped off his collegiate career in 2013 as Big South Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Big South and second-team All-American honours.
Taliaferro was 28 years old.
