Former Giants offensive lineman Korey Cunningham has died.
He was just 28 years old.
Cunningham spent two seasons with the Giants, from 2021-22, and appeared in 13 games with the team.
He was found dead at his home in Clifton, N.J. on Thursday, according to local outlet RLS Media.
Law enforcement told the outlet that his death was self-inflicted.
The Giants released a statement on X Friday morning.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham,” the Giants wrote. “He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates.”
An unconscious man was reported at the residence on Thursday, according to RSL, and police and emergency services arrived around 3:30 p.m. before the medical examiner removed the body roughly an hour later.
After playing collegiately at Cincinnati, Cunningham was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cardinals.
He appeared in six games with the Cardinals — all starts — as a rookie.
After his rookie season, the Cardinals traded Cunningham to the Patriots for a sixth-round pick.
Cunningham spent two seasons with the Patriots, appearing in 12 games. The Giants signed him the following offseason.
Justin Pugh, who’s had two stints with the Giants but was with the Cardinals when they drafted Cunningham, shared a heartwarming story about his former teammate.
“We would invite him to the OL dinner every week even though he wasn’t on the team [on the practice squad] which doesn’t happen…ever,” Pugh wrote on X.
“Team dinners are for players on the team only. Except for Korey….solely because he was beloved by all the guys regardless if you knew him or not! He’d tell stories and we’d laugh our asses off all night.
“Today is a sad day but I’ll always remember the good times and the laughs. Everyone who knew Korey Cunningham was better for it. The world lost a great soul.”
Jared Schwartz:
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