Oct 8, 2009 6:37 am US/Eastern
Former Raven Found Dead In Washington State
PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (WJZ) ―
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An agent for rookie linebacker Tony Fein says the Iraq War veteran and member of the Baltimore Ravens during the preseason died in Washington state.
CBS
It's a sad day for the Baltimore Ravens after former rookie Tony Fein died suddenly in Washington State.
Mary Bubala reports Fein was originally scheduled to be in a Baltimore courtroom Wednesday.
Fein was facing charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer, but those charges were dropped according to his agent.
According to Washington State authorities, Fein's friends found him unconscious Tuesday morning and called 911.
"Just shocked and saddened," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
"It's really sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends because it's such a tragic death for someone to be that young and go through the thing he's been through," said Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
Harbaugh calls Fein a good teammate. Although the linebacker was released in the final preseason cut, Harbaugh says Fein will be missed.
"We were proud to have him here as part of our team, and just unbelievably disappointed about the news and waiting to hear further details," said Harbaugh.
A South Kitsap Fire and Rescue official told
Eyewitness News Fein was unconscious lying in a pool of his own vomit when friends found him.
Fein went into respiratory arrest and was pronounced dead at Harrison Medical Center at 9:48 a.m.
Ravens fans describe Fein as someone with a strong future.
"He was kind of young to be dying and losing his life that young. Being a player, doing well and just dying young is tragic," said fan James Harris.
Fein made headlines when he allegedly pushed a Baltimore City Police officer at Baltimore's Light Street Pavilion near Johnny Rockets at the Inner Harbor.
He was supposed to be in court Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge, but instead, according to Fein's agent, the district attorney dismissed those charges.
"We found out just a couple days ago, he was going to be vindicated on that," said Harbaugh. "So it speaks back to his character."
Fein was an Iraq War veteran and played two seasons at Ole Miss.
"He is just a tremendous American, a tremendous young man, and he's a Raven to us, always will be," said Harbaugh.
"You can really only speak about the man during the brief time we were around him. He was a humble, humble young man," said Lewis.
Washington State Police say they're not conducting an investigation until the coroner determines the cause of death.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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