Tragedy as former Denver Broncos offensive linesman and Notre Dame

Tragedy as former Denver Broncos offensive linesman and Notre Dame star dies aged just 35

Tragedy as the former Denver Broncos offensive linesman and Notre Dame star dies aged just 35 after suffering cardiac arrest on a run

  • Paul Duncan, who has two young daughters with his wife Ellen, has died at the age of 35
  • On July 15, he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced brain dead the next day
  • Duncan played as an offensive lineman for Notre Dame and for the Denver Broncos

Former NFL player Paul Duncan has died aged 35 after suffering cardiac arrest during a run in his neighborhood.

The former Notre Dame football star, who has two young daughters with his wife Ellen, fell unconscious on Friday July 15 and was pronounced brain dead the next day.

Ellen said that when she first told the kids her father had died, her daughter asked Dillon to listen to the song that “Dad just added to the morning playlist.”

Former NFL player Paul Duncan has died aged 35 after suffering cardiac arrest during a run in his neighborhood

Former NFL player Paul Duncan has died aged 35 after suffering cardiac arrest during a run in his neighborhood

The former Notre Dame football star, who has two young daughters with his wife Ellen, fell unconscious on Friday July 15 and was pronounced brain dead the next day.  Pictured: Paul Duncan #72 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish moves to block De'Shon Matthews #96 of the Washington Huskies October 3, 2009

The former Notre Dame football star, who has two young daughters with his wife Ellen, fell unconscious on Friday July 15 and was pronounced brain dead the next day. Pictured: Paul Duncan #72 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish moves to block De’Shon Matthews #96 of the Washington Huskies October 3, 2009

His wife Ellen announced his death on Instagram and paid tribute to him in a series of posts

His wife Ellen announced his death on Instagram and paid tribute to him in a series of posts

“I didn’t know what she meant so I looked at our Amazon music app and she pointed to MercyMe’s ‘I Can Only Imagine’,” Ellen wrote on Instagram, posting a video of Duncan dancing at a family reunion .

“Paul definitely danced when he met Jesus,” Ellen said, adding, “Thank you for the continued love and support.”

Duncan played as an offensive lineman for Ireland’s Notre Dame Fighting football team from 2005 to 2009 and then briefly for the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

The Notre Dame football team paid tribute to their former player Paul Duncan

The Notre Dame football team paid tribute to their former player Paul Duncan

The Notre Dame football team said in a statement: “Our prayers go out to the family and friends of Paul Duncan. A great teammate but most of all a loving husband and father.

Ellen said Duncan’s body will be donated to people in need of organs and for medical research.

Duncan’s funeral service will be held Monday in Brookhaven, Georgia, where the family lives.