YORKTOWN, Va. — A former football player for the Baltimore Ravens died Wednesday, the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Officials said deputies were called to the 100 block of Windsor Lane shortly after 3 p.m. for a report of someone needing medical attention. 28-year-old Lorenzo Taliaferro was taken to a local hospital, where he later passed away.
There's no word on what may have caused Taliaferro's death.
Taliaferro is from York County and before his pro career, he attended and played for Bruton High School.
He played three seasons as a fullback for the Baltimore Ravens from 2014 to 2016.
In the wake of his passing, an old story has resurfaced as those who knew him and reflect on the man that he was.
It started with a plan to honor Taliaferro during a Saturday home game at his alma mater, Coastal Carolina.
"Either his rookie season or second season with the Ravens, leading into Parent's Weekend we decided to honor Lorenzo at the half," said Coastal Carolina Board of Trustees member James Spivey.
"Zo" made his usual trek through the Charlotte airport to get to the school he set records for. It is here that he found a group of parents headed the same way to see their kids for Parents Weekend, stranded at the airport due to bad weather.
"Cars were sparse, so Lorenzo rents a van, says, 'Anyone wanna ride with me? Come on!'" Four couples unknowingly piled in with the man of the hour and drove through the night to make it in time for the weekend.
That story alone perfectly captures Taliaferro's selflessness, an inherent ability to be there for others.
Then at halftime of the game Saturday and all of a sudden, "the game announcer says, 'We want to welcome back Lorenzo Taliaferro.' Zo walks on the field, and one of the Dads from the night before stands up and says, 'Look, that's the guy who gave us a ride last night!'" recalled Spivey, seemingly still taken aback at Taliaferro's humility.
He never mentioned who he was, his significance to the University that their children attended, his position as a professional football player, he was happy to simply be the guy helping those in need.
At the time of his passing, Taliaferro was days away from his 29th birthday.