Ron Brace, a former New England Patriots defensive tackle who passed away in April, suffered from an irregular heartbeat combined with a heart condition caused by high blood pressure, the Massachusetts medical examiner's office ruled on Wednesday, per the Associated Press.
Brace, who played his college football at Boston College, was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2009. He lasted four seasons with the team and played in 39 games. He signed with Washington briefly in 2013 before being released in late August. Brace had grown up and attended high school in Massachusetts as well.
At the time of his death in late April, the Patriots released the following statement:
"We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Brace's death. Seven years ago tomorrow (April 25, 2009), we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass. It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ron's family, friends and the many former teammates who will mourn Ron's passing."
Brace was 29 years old, and is survived by his parents and six siblings.
