Ex-High School Football Player Dies After Cardiac Arrest

Josh Cardiello, 30, died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball; his father said the death follows the 2021 cardiac arrest death of Josh’s younger brother.

Josh Cardiello, 30, died on Monday after suffering sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball. The event was reported to have occurred at about 5:30 a.m. local time. His father, Jay, announced the death on social media and noted that Josh’s younger brother Jacob died of cardiac arrest in 2021. Josh had been a high school and college football player and later worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Known details: - Josh Cardiello, age 30, suffered sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball and died on Monday morning. - His father, Jay, posted the news on social media and said Josh had lost his younger brother Jacob to cardiac arrest in 2021. - Josh played at Buford High School, competed collegiately at Georgia and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and later worked for Amgen. - He is survived by his wife, Allison, and his daughter, Amelia; a funeral service was scheduled for January 10. Summary: The family is mourning the unexpected death and recalled Josh’s professional work and advocacy for patients with cardiovascular disease. Jay Cardiello said he will pursue advocacy including calls for national mandated genetic testing at birth and scheduled childhood heart screenings, and a funeral service was planned for January 10.