Jamil Merrell, a former Rutgers football captain and Chicago Bears undrafted free agent, has died at the age of 36.

According to a social media post from his twin brother, Jamal Merrell, Jamil died after sharing a final message of peace with his family. No cause of death was immediately announced, while Jamal's emotional tribute reflected on his brother's character and the fight he showed until the end.

"As I write this, I’m sitting beside my twin brother, surrounded by our family, knowing that we’re witnessing one of the hardest moments we’ll ever have to face," Jamal wrote on Instagram. "With tears in our eyes and love in our hearts, I want everyone to know that my twin brother, Jamil, is peacefully transitioning to be with God. Before this moment, he looked at us with peace and said, ‘It’s time for me to level up, and everything down here for me is complete.’"

Jamal continued by remembering the qualities that defined his brother throughout his life. He wrote that Jamil "loved with his whole heart," always stood by those closest to him and "poured every ounce of himself" into everything he did.

Long before his coaching career, Jamil built an impressive football resume. He played at Rutgers from 2009 through 2013, recording 81 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

He also served as a team captain alongside his twin brother during their senior season. His playing career briefly reached the NFL.

An NFC North division team, the Chicago Bears, signed him after he went undrafted in 2014.

Chicago signed him to its practice squad before he continued playing professionally in the Arena Football League with the Los Angeles KISS and Colorado Crush.

The football journey didn't end there.

Final letter reflected the values Jamil Merrell carried into coaching

According to Delaware Online, in his final days, Jamil wrote a letter to the Red Lion Christian football players he planned to coach as defensive coordinator. 

"Most importantly, love this game with everything you have," Jamil wrote. "Because life can change in an instant, and opportunities are never promised tomorrow. Cherish every practice, every game, every teammate, every laugh, and every memory you make together."

Red Lion Christian head coach Ken Anderson told local media that Merrell combined discipline with genuine care for his players.

"You meet very few people in your life that are just pure meat on the bone," Anderson said. "Just an expert in his craft and how he communicated that to the kids, with love but with discipline."

Merrell also trained numerous athletes throughout Delaware, including NFL defensive tackle Bilal Nichols.

Those who knew him best remembered a coach who invested in others long after his own playing career had ended, a legacy that reached far beyond the field.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore