Former Florida Gators linebacker Neiron Ball died early Tuesday morning at the age of 27, leaving behind a powerful legacy along with a trail of tears from his former teammates.
In a battle for his life due to a brain aneurysm that left him paralyzed in all four limbs, Ball passed away at 4:15 a.m., according to his sister, Natalie Ball Myricks.
She wrote: “Neiron was a very special and loving father, brother, and teammate. Neiron has transitioned to a place of peace.”
Ball was a member of the Gators from 2010-14. He missed the 2011 season after he underwent brain surgery to address a congenital condition called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which causes the brain’s blood vessels to get tangled and rupture.
Ball returned to the field in 2012 and finish his UF career with 94 tackles during 45 games. He was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, where he played one NFL season.
In the late summer of 2018, a blood vessel ruptured in Ball’s brain, beginning his rapid decline.
After learning of Ball’s death, former UF offensive tackle Trenton Brown, a close friend of Ball’s now with the Raiders himself, wrote, “Some tears you just don’t be prepared for,” and “Suffer no more.”
Brown’s sentiments were shared on social media by many of Ball’s former teammates, along with people throughout Gator Nation.
Ball’s winning personality, radiant smile and unwavering determination made him popular with coaches, teammates and anyone else he met.
“Neiron Ball. Always smiling. Always happy. Always positive. Absolutely one of the best teammates and humans I was fortunate enough to be around,” Xavier Nixon posted on Twitter. “Thank you for being my friend and brother in that orange and blue. RIP brother!!!”
While Ball’s health declined this summer, his family launched a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 to help offset the cost of his care. In a matter of days, the fund has raised more than $120,000, with significant contributions made by many of Ball’s former teammates.
More than 2,000 people contributed to assist Ball with his plight.
Will Muschamp, who coached Ball in Gainesville from 2011-14, said he was helping Ball’s family directly with medical bills as well.
“It’s just a sad situation,” Muschamp said during South Carolina preseason camp when word spread about Ball’s decline. “He’s as delightful a young man as you’ll ever be around. A selfless young man that was so good with people, great with kids, had a smile on his face all the time.
“It’s just very unfair.”
