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Former Jaguars player Quentin Groves dead at 32

By Libby Jones, Cox Media Group National Content Desk, and joy johnston
By Libby Jones, Cox Media Group National Content Desk, and joy johnston

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars organization expressed deep sadness Saturday after learning of the passing of former linebacker Quentin Groves.

In a statement the team said, "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the entire Groves family during this very difficult time."

The former NFL defensive lineman and Auburn standout died Saturday at the age of 32.

The cause of death has not been officially confirmed, though Groves reportedly suffered a heart attack.

During the 2008 NFL combine, he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome which caused a rapid heartbeat.

After a minor surgical procedure Groves was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
“Quentin was an outstanding man, on and off the field,” said former teammate and current Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis, who played with Groves from 2008-09. “He made everyone around him better and always had a smile on his face. He pushed me every day in practice and was a fierce competitor. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to spend two seasons with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family on this incredibly sad day.”
Groves spent two years at Jacksonville and then played for several teams including the Raiders, Browns and Titans. He last played in the regular season in 2014.

At Auburn, Groves was a first-team All-SEC performer as a senior at Auburn, where he played with current Jaguars defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks.

“I had the pleasure and privilege of spending two seasons (2006-07) with Quentin at Auburn and I can attribute a lot of my early success in college to learning from him,” said Marks. “He was an incredible athlete on the field and a great, close friend off of it. I am lucky to have spent a lot of time with Quentin and Treska and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. My sympathy goes to her, their kids and all of his family and friends.”

Cox Media Group

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