Former Wisconsin Lineman Bill Ferrario Found Dead at 47

Bill Ferrario, a former Wisconsin Badgers standout and 2001 fourth-round Green Bay Packers draft pick, was found dead at his Wisconsin home on Wednesday at age 47 — two days after his birthday — and authorities have not announced a cause. A Scranton, Pennsylvania native, Ferrario was a four-year starter at Wisconsin from 1997–2000, starting 50 consecutive games, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors in 1999 and second-team in 2000, and anchoring the line that helped Ron Dayne win the Heisman and the Badgers reach back-to-back Rose Bowls. He played for the Packers after the 2001 NFL Draft and had brief stints with Washington and Carolina before retiring from professional football in 2005. After his playing career he returned to Wisconsin, worked in medical sales and real estate, hosted a sports-and-lifestyle podcast and did charity work, and friends, former teammates and his hometown community have posted tributes to his character. Media reports say Ferrario faced recent legal troubles and was sentenced to probation last year following drunk-driving and a domestic-incident conviction; he is survived by two children.