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! 

'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.'

In his last post on social media, only five days ago, Cunningham was reflecting on a 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.' 

He grew up in Montevallo, Alabama. In an interview about his journey to the NFL in 2019, 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.

He played college football in Cincinnati from 2013-2017 as tight end. 

'The first time I flew on an plane was going up there to University of Cincinnati, in Ohio' Cunningham said. '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.'