Former NFL, Auburn LB Quentin Groves Dies at Age 32

Mike Chiari @mikechiariFeatured ColumnistOctober 15, 2016

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 14: Quentin Groves #53 of the Tennessee Titans on the field in the first quarter of a game against the New York Jets at LP Field on December 14, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jets defeated the Titans 16-11. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Former NFL pass-rusher Quentin Groves died Saturday from an apparent heart attack. He was 32.

Luke Easterling of USA Today first reported the news, and Auburn Football honored its former player:

Auburn Football @AuburnFootball
The Auburn Family is deeply saddened by the passing of AU great Quentin Groves. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates. https://t.co/fOoMZrx2nC

The Jacksonville Jaguars released a statement:

#DUUUVAL @Jaguars
The organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former linebacker Quentin Groves: https://t.co/iXgTz7q9UQ

The Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders also offered their condolences:

Cleveland Browns @Browns
We are saddened to hear the passing of former Brown Quentin Groves. Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.

OAKLAND RAIDERS @RAIDERS
The Raiders family is deeply saddened by the passing of Fulton Walker and Quentin Groves. (1/2)

OAKLAND RAIDERS @RAIDERS
The thoughts of the Raiders family and the entire Raider Nation are with their families and friends. (2/2)

Groves last appeared in an NFL regular-season game with the Tennessee Titans in 2014. He played 16 games at linebacker that season, registering 18 combined tackles and one sack.

The Greenville, Mississippi, native enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Auburn with 19 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in three seasons.

SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic paid tribute to Groves on Twitter:

Cole Cubelic @colecubelic
Quentin Groves was fun to watch. Loved Auburn. Treated others with respect. He will be missed.

The Jaguars selected Groves with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.

After struggling to find a full-time role with the team and recording just 2.5 sacks in two seasons, Groves was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick.

Groves had his best season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012, when he set career highs with 46 combined tackles and four sacks.

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He joined the Buffalo Bills in 2015, but he was cut before the start of the regular season.

Prior to entering the NFL in 2008, Groves was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes a rapid heartbeat, according to MayoClinic.org.

NFL Network (h/t AL.com's Dennis Pillion) reported at the time that Groves underwent surgery to treat the issue.

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