Bill Ferrario, former Wisconsin standout lineman who played in NFL for Packers, dead at 47
Former Badgers star and Packers draft pick died unexpectedly, per obituary; obituary notes lifelong West Side roots.
Bill Ferrario, a former NFL offensive lineman who starred for the Wisconsin Badgers, has died at 47, according to an online obituary. Ferrario died unexpectedly on Wednesday in Scranton, Pennsylvania, his birthplace, The Times-Tribune reported, two days after his birthday.
The Green Bay Packers selected Ferrario in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. He appeared in 16 games for Green Bay in 2002 before being waived ahead of the 2003 season. He later had brief stints with the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers, but did not stay on an NFL roster for long.
Ferrario was part of Wisconsin's offensive line that blocked for Ron Dayne, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1999. The Badgers appeared in Rose Bowl games in 1998 and 1999.
An obituary appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday. A longtime friend, Jason Waibel, told The Times-Tribune: "I am heartbroken. I have known Billy since fourth grade, and he had a pure heart of gold and was a trustworthy friend. He would go to all lengths to help you. He always made you feel important, even when everyone just wanted to make him feel important."
Ferrario’s obituary notes a lifelong West Side upbringing carried into his football career. He later spent time with the Panthers organization, including a training-camp stint in 2005, and his death was confirmed by officials familiar with the family. The cause of death was not announced.