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Sad News: Ex-NFL and College Star Dies Suddenly at Home Just 2 Days After His 47th Birthday

Former Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers player Bill Ferrario died suddenly at his home on Wednesday at the age of 47; the cause of death has not been disclosed. The news was first reported by a hometown newspaper in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Ferrario is remembered as a mainstay on Wisconsin’s offensive line from 1997–2000, where he started all 50 games of his college career—at the time becoming the third Big Ten player to reach that milestone.

Moving to the NFL, Ferrario was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2001 Draft and played two seasons in Green Bay before being released. He did not play in 2003, then signed with the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders) but was not activated to the game-day roster and was cut prior to the 2004 season. In November 2004, he joined the Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster, but did not appear in a game and was released in 2005—after which he did not sign with another NFL team. (Playing size: 6'2", 314 lbs — approximately 1.88 m, 142 kg.)

After retiring, Ferrario largely kept a low profile, though he encountered legal issues in 2023: an arrest for DUI, followed by charges of stalking and intimidation of a victim in Marathon County, Wisconsin (per WXOW).

Even so, his final Instagram post, celebrating his daughter’s graduation (apparently from high school), reflected his deep love for family:

No words can express how proud I am of my daughter on her graduation. Watching her grow, work hard, and chase her goals has been one of the greatest joys of my life. She now closes one chapter and begins another — and I’m certain she’s going to do amazing things. Congratulations. Keep shining. The world is yours.

The passing of Bill Ferrario leaves the Badgers and Packers communities in mourning. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side