Korey Cunningham, former New York Giants player, found dead at 28 at his home in New Jersey: Cops say fatal injury was 'self-inflicted'

Korey Cunningham, a former NFL player for the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, has died at age 28 from an apparent suicide at his home in New Jersey.

According to RLS Media Cunningham, who was known for his upbeat personality,  was found at his home in New Jersey and law enforcement say his death was self-inflicted with no suspicion of foul play. He was discovered on Thursday afternoon.

The Giants said: 'We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham. He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates.'

Cunningham, a 6-foot-6, 311-pound Alabama native, played 31 times in the NFL as an offensive tackle across the course of his career and was picked in the seventh round in the 2018 Draft by the Cardinals after playing college football at Cincinnati. 

Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock wrote a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate, sharing a picture of Cunningham on Instagram and saying: 'This one hurt. Regardless of what you was going through, you wore the biggest smile! 

Former New York Giants player Korey Cunningham has been found dead at the age of 28

Police were pictured outside of his New Jersey home on Thursday, where he was discovered 

The 28-year-old was found dead by police on Thursday, who have not suspected foul play

In his last post on social media, only five days ago, Cunningham had been on a hunting trip

Cunningham was known for his upbeat personality and was called 'a vital part of the spirit of the locker room' by the New York Giants in their tribute to him

'You was the first person to come help me move when I as getting settled at NYC.. middle of camp & you grinding to be on team & learn new playbook, you was the first at my house ready. 

'Take care of yourselves and call your friends people, I love you brudda.'

Saquon Barkley, who played alongside Cunningham during his own five-year stint with the Giants, appeared to respond to the news of his former teammate's death on X on Friday morning. Now at the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley simply wrote: 'Damn man.'

Justin Pugh, another former teammate of Cunningham's from his time at the Cardinals, wrote on X: 'I was in Arizona when we drafted Korey Cunnigham in 2018. He moved onto the NY Giants and was living in NJ this past year. 

'Quick story: We would invite him to the OL dinner every week even though he wasn’t on the team which doesn’t happen…ever. Team dinners are for players on the team only. Except for Korey….solely because he was beloved by all the guys regardless if you knew him or not! 

'He’d tell stories and we’d laugh our asses off all night. Today is a sad day but I’ll always remember the good times and the laughs. Everyone who knew Korey Cunnigham was better for it. The world lost a great soul.'

In his last post on social media, only five days ago, Cunningham was reflecting on a late hunting trip he had taken to Carolina - hunting was his major passion outside of football.

He shared several pictures to his Instagram account with the caption: 'Last minute trip across the Mason Dixon to chase Easterns. Til next time Carolina.' 

As well as the Giants, Cunningham played for Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots  

Cunningham was born in Alabama and said that he grew up 'in the middle of nowhere' 

He grew up in Montevallo, Alabama. In an interview about his journey to the NFL in 2019, when he was on the Cardinals roster, Cunningham said of his upbringing: 'It made me who I am. Middle of nowhere, put it like that. 

'I graduated high school with like 55 people. I come from nothing.'

The Giants were his last team - he was released from their roster last August before the season began. 

He only played for the Cardinals for a year after the draft, making six appearances, but was traded to the Patriots in 2019 for a sixth-round pick. 

Cunningham was on the roster in New England for two years before being released and eventually signing for the Giants.

'The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Korey Cunningham,' the team said on social media on Friday. 'We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Korey's family, teammates and all who mourn his loss.'

Before his move to the NFL, Cunningham played college football in Cincinnati from 2013-2017 as tight end. He was caption of the team, who said Friday they are 'heartbroken' at his death.

Players from throughout Cunningham's career paid tribute to him on social media on Friday, with many referring to his personality and upbeat spirit 

A statement said; 'We're heartbroken at the news of the passing of Korey Cunningham. Korey was a Bearcats captain with an incredible work ethic and an infectious personality. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates.'

Cunningham said of his time at the University in 2019: 'The first time I flew on an plane was going up there to the University of Cincinnati, in Ohio. Talk about a culture shock, going from the woods to the city. 

'I told my parents I was coming back home but I got used to it. Those childhood dreams, growing up paying with your buddies in the yard, it really hits you when you get Drafted. 

'It's a small margin of guys who get to live out that dream. I told myself on Draft day I wasn't going to cry but when you get that call up, it is a life-changing moment.'