Ray Lewis III, the son of Hall of Fame linebackerRay Lewisand a former college football star himself, had died. He was 28, having only just celebrated a birthday on June 5.

The late athlete’s younger brother,Rahsaan Lewis, was among those loved ones who shared the news of his sibling’s death on Thursday in an emotional Instagram post.

“Really can’t believe I’m evening typings this butRIP big brother🕊 💫,” Rahsaan wrote. “A true angel. I pray you’re at peace now because I know how much you [were] really hurting.”

Instagram

Ray Lewis III/Instagram

“I don’t and I won’t ever have the words man, ‘cause this pain right here…” he said. “I love you, I love you, I love you 💫 ❤️.”

Rahsaan, a graduate of the University of Kentucky who played on the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team, went on to say that his brother’s niece “[is going to] miss you but she will hear about you over and over.”

“Just watch over us all big bruh. Be our guardian,” he wrote. “I promise, I’ll make you smile and proud. ❤️.”

Rahsaan Lewis’ Instagram.Rahsaan Lewis/Instagram

Rahsaan Lewis/Instagram

Rahsaan Lewis/Instagram

Details of Ray III’s death are unknown. PEOPLE has reached out to reps for his father for comment.

Added rapper Yung Shad in his own post: “RIP my big brother. Ain’t really know words for this s—-, just hope [you’re] at peace now. I know you [were] hurting.”

Dawn dawg this s— can’t be real," he said. “You put a smile on everybody’s face.”

Dyme Lewis.Dyme Lewis/Instagram

Dyme Lewis/Instagram

Dyme Lewis/Instagram

Ray III started his football career as a running back at Lake Mary Prep in Florida. After graduating in 2013, he followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Miami Hurricanes at the University of Miami.

He would later finish his college career off with the Virginia Union Panthers in 2017, and would go on to play indoor football for the Wyoming Mustangs in 2021.

Ray Lewis III and his father.Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Ray Lewis III, left, and his father, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis Jr.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Diego Ryland, Virginia Union associate head coach, toldTMZthat Ray III was a “great young man and a better teammate. The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray.”

“Two RIP posts for my former players back to back,” Mark James, Lewis’ coach at Virginia Union, wrote. “Young man it was a pleasure to bring you to Virginia Union. Ray Ray May God bless your family. Great young man.”

Aside from football, Ray III was an aspiring rapper, droppingsingles and music videos on his social media accountover the past few years.

source: people.com