NFL All-Pro's family member dies after being found bloody on the streets
An entire family is in mourning after the brother of Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker died Sunday morning of a reported gunshot wound.
Budda Baker took to social media to confirm that his brother, Robert, had indeed died.
“On behalf of the Baker Family we want to thank everyone for their generous outpouring of love, support, and prayers during this extremely difficult time at the passing of our dearly beloved son, brother and husband, Robert Baker,” he tweeted.
“We ask that you respect our family’s privacy in this difficult time,” the Cardinals safety added.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Seattle police responded early Sunday to a report of a 29-year-old man in the street who had suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.
First responders tried reviving him, but he was declared dead on the way to the hospital.
The incident is still under investigation, said police Det. Mark Jamieson, and authorities are searching for a suspect.
Authorities would not confirm the victim’s identity, pending an autopsy, but the News Tribune reported that it was Robert Baker.
The Baker brothers took two very different paths in life.
Budda starred as a defensive back for the University of Washington and was then taken by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.
His first year was a smashing success, as he was named a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro.
Robert’s path was much sadder. He spent seven years in prison for first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm, though he told Sports Illustrated in 2016 that the gun was used in crimes he didn’t commit.
“I learned life can be taken away from you in two ways: death or prison,” Robert said at the time. “I’m lucky it was prison, because death was around the corner.”
“Let me be the prime example,” Robert would tell his brother, “of why you need to do it the right way.”
When that story was written, Robert Baker was married with three children.
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