Brother of ex-Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell charged with murder

One of the brothers of Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell has been arrested on multiple charges, including murder, after the family’s mother was found dead inside an Atlanta home.

Ciarre Campbell, 41, was booked Wednesday morning on charges of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, according to Fulton County (Georgia) Jail records.

Nateal Campbell, 71, was found unresponsive on Tuesday, June 30, after a welfare check was called in, according to WSB-TV.

Nateal Campbell was listed as a co-founder — along with Calais, Ciarre and her six other children — of the CRC Foundation. The family established the organization in honor of her late husband, Charles Richard Campbell, who died in 2003.

“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” the Campbell family said in a statement on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and ESPN. “While the details of her passing are still being investigated, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with our father, her beloved Chuck, and in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask for privacy at this time so that we may honor her and share in our overwhelming grief privately and as a family.”

Calais Campbell, 39, signed a one-year contract in April to rejoin the Ravens, whom he previously played for from 2020-22. Entering his 19th year in the NFL, the defensive tackle has earned four All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl selections.

Said the Ravens in a statement: “We are incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of Calais Campbell’s mother. We extend our deepest condolences and full support to Calais and his family during this difficult time. We ask that everyone please respect their privacy while they grieve from this heartbreaking loss.”

Throughout his career, Campbell has been lauded as a galvanizing locker-room presence and team leader. For the 2019 season, he was selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year, the league’s highest honor for recognizing a player’s contributions to his community.

While writing a letter to his mom in a Mother’s Day segment for ESPN in 2018, Calais Campbell referred to Nateal Campbell as “the most giving person I have ever known.”

“You taught me how to roll up my sleeves and go get whatever it is I wanted in life,” Calais Campbell wrote. “I’m part of a lot of things in my life, but I’m most proud to call you my mother.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brother of ex-Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell charged with murder