Former NFL cornerback Antonio Dennard was killed after being shot outside a bar in Pennsylvania last weekend.
According to the Berks County Coroner’s Office, the 32-year-old was pronounced dead at 3:15am on October 16. He had been transported to Reading Hospital following the shooting. Dennard was shot outside the Legends bar and restaurant in Mihlenberg Township and his death has been ruled a homicide. Police are currently investigating the situation, while an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Dennard played college football at Longston University in Oklahoma, where he had 80 tackles and 8 interceptions before he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and fitness in 2012. He then embarked on a career in the NFL with the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He was signed by the Jaguars out of college in 2012 before linking up with the Packers the following year. He was briefly signed to the Giants before returning to Green Bay for two more seasons.
After his NFL career came to an end, Dennard spent two seasons with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League between 2015 and 2017. After his playing career concluded, Dennard began coaching young player as he passed on his knowledge and love for the game.
Dennard’s former college coach Brandon Roberts took to social media to pay a touching tribute to the former cornerback. He wrote on Facebook : “I would talk to the NFL Scouts about how great of a person you were and how much of a stand up kid you were.
“I remember us sitting in the meeting room talking to the 49ers, Jets, Jaguars, Packers and Eagles. I know today you have received your wings RIP.”
A local police statement on the incident read: “Antonio D. Dennard, a 32-year-old male, was pronounced deceased at 3:15am on October 16, 2022 at Reading Health Medical Center after being admitted to the Emergency Department for a gunshot wound to the torso.
“In coordination with Muhlenberg Township Police Department and Berks County Detectives, the Coroner's Office is conducting a death investigation into the cause and manner of death.
“The shooting incident was reported to have happened at 2545 N. 5th Street Hwy at the establishment known as Legends Bar & Restaurant, around the time of the call placed to the Berks County 911 Center at 02:25am on October 16, 2022.”
