Former Ravens LB Tony Fein Passes Away

[Mishel]

via twitter...
@jamisonhensley Former #Ravens linebacker and Iraqi War vet Tony Fein died Tuesday, according to his agent.

Anyone heard anything? He is the one who was arrested in Baltimore two months ago, during pre season, correct?

[Alexir]

WHAT?!?!

[Alexir]

Wow. I just read the article. Doesn't say anything about how or why it just says he was found dead in his house in Washington State. I really wanted him to make the team too. Damn, he was only 27

Edit: My first reaction was that Brigance passed away then when I realized it was Fein I was confused wondering how the heck that could happen.

[Michael]

Yeah, I just read that article in the sun. To me, sounds like maybe a suicide or overdose.

[Moderator 2]

What???? OMG I wonder what happened.

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-tony-fein-dies1006,0,807312.story"]here[/url]


[quote]Tony Fein, who was a member of the Ravens during the preseason and was an Iraqi War veteran, died Tuesday morning in Port Orchard, Wash., according to his agent.

There were no immediate details about his death, agent Milton D. Hobbs said.

"It's a very sad situation," Hobbs told The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday night. "I am still trying to figure out what happened."

Fein, 27, was an undrafted rookie free agent who was released by the Ravens in their final major cutdown on Sept. 5.
[/quote]

[Bltravens]

Damn man thats brutal. Im Canadian so obviously I have no real ties for American Military men, but theres something to be said for the guy across the street from you who straps up and goes overseas with your countries flag on his shoulder regardless of the circumstances, just mad respect from me for any veteran. Its a shame, I was hoping for him comin back he'd get his shot and make or at least get a call from another team. I hate to wonder but if it was suicide/possible overdose like someone said you almost wonder if it was psychologically related to his experiences over there.

Much Love Tony man rest easy.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

he was on our ps what omg I pray his family is able to forgive him .... I know I do I got a bud over in iraq now he almost died last week in a mortar attack and hes a civy

[Moderator 2]

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4538098"]ESPN Source[/url]

[ZIBBY28]

That's such a shame.. he's been through so much. like someone else said, I have so much respect for anyone who fights for our country over there in the sandbox. one can only speculate at this point, but being arrested and cut in a few weeks time on top of possible PTSD I'm sure his life wasnt as glamorous as we might all think an NFL player's would be.. i wish the the best for his friends and family

[TheRavenouseD2008]

I sent a message to a friend of mine she is going to call her nephew John Koontz of GB , hopefuly the nfl will do something in the communitees maybe these oh you fought in a war I dont like you people will change thier mind ....

[berad]

Such an awful turn of events. I wish his family best and hope his soul is at peace. RIP Tony Fein..

[hammer]

As a military veteran, most people don't realize that getting re-socialized from military life back to civilian life is not an automated emotional process. For some, really strong family support can help smooth out the transition, but for combat veterans, the process is normally even worse.

Hopefully, this will shed some light on the issue of supporting our veterans returning from war. Their true needs are grossly underserved. This issue is actually bigger than the NFL and it cuts so deep into my feelings that I can't fully express it, so I'll just let it go. My prayers go out to his family and to those currently serving in harms way.

[Fred Sanford]

Man, what a tragedy.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

in honor of tony I rememberd this poem my friends dad quotes he is a retired Staff SGT

thedrifter01-08-04, 01:17 PM

The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,


And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.



I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.



If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.



"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."


please I would like this to stay civil I hope no one takes offense cause this is for tony

[hammer]

[quote name='TheRavenouseD2008' date='07 October 2009 - 01:35 AM' timestamp='1254893703' post='251081']
in honor of tony I rememberd this poem my friends dad quotes he is a retired Staff SGT

thedrifter01-08-04, 01:17 PM

The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,


And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.



I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.



If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.



"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."


please I would like this to stay civil I hope no one takes offense cause this is for tony
[/quote]

Also hoping to not offend anyone, I too can appreciate the poem. American patriotism can bring tears to your eyes when you understand the sacrifice it takes to keep this country safe. No disrespect to the Mods, but I promise to stay on message from here out. This was just too important to ignore. Sorry.

[superd]

Wow I'm completely blown away. I remember reading about the handgun police incident that turned out to be a cell phone like 2 months ago. I didn't know who the guy was but I can't bealive it.

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='hammer' date='07 October 2009 - 03:20 AM' timestamp='1254900044' post='251102']
Also hoping to not offend anyone, I too can appreciate the poem. American patriotism can bring tears to your eyes when you understand the sacrifice it takes to keep this country safe. No disrespect to the Mods, but I promise to stay on message from here out. This was just too important to ignore. Sorry.
[/quote]

As can I being the daughter of a naval officer and the wife of an ex-army ranger.

[ravenrooter]

what a shame....RIP Tony

[Tighthead420]

RIP

Truly sad.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Wow, this is shocking. He was so young. Best wishes to his family.

[dethdude420]

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/07/former-raven-iraq-vet-tony-fein-dies/"]http://profootballta...tony-fein-dies/[/url]

Stumbled across it this morning

[dethdude420]

Well Tony Fein died this morning (or last night)
I didn't hear many details but if someone could add details, please do.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/07/former-raven-iraq-vet-tony-fein-dies/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.fein07oct07,0,1521226.story

[BloodRaven]

The tattoo on his shoulder says it all.

[img]http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2009-08/48566596.jpg[/img]

Personally this hurts for me and I never knew him, I really wanted him to make the team long shot or not because life has a lot of parallels to my own, I know the struggles all too well.

I was going to make a thread about the racial profiling incident but I know it would have just gotten deleted.

Rest in peace Tony.

[PuRock]

Wow! What a complete shock. So young.

I pray for his family and friends. This is a tough one to digest.

[Purple Punishment]

As a veteran who is deployed right now, this deeply affects me as we have lost yet another brother in arms. Tony Fein was Recon. They are among the most elite of our military forces. They go deep behind the lines that we draw and sometimes work alone. I was extremely happy when he made it through to the final cuts because I thought he would make it to the practice squad at the least. It takes alot of strength and dedication to be in the military and deploy during these times. Tony Fein knew this all too well. He showed that same strength, dedication, and intensity when he had his time to serve on the field of war in a helmet and pads. As a "combat veteran" of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I know he had to have a lot of things buried deep down in his mind. Suppressing things that eat away at your mind everyday. I could only imagine what was going on in his mind after his time over here was finished. Most scars of war are not visible and more times than not, soldiers don't talk about them or see mental stress physicians in fear that it will mess their careers up. I dont know what the cause of death was in his case, but failing to make the team may have added to his stress, the police incident may have added to his stress. Its funny that nobody would have questioned his service behind enemy lines and possibility of PTSD as the cause for him snapping on that police officer, or even if that did happen. I know first hand the transition for some can be very easy, and some never completely return home in their minds. I guess Im talking to much. Rest In Paradise Soldier!!

[Alexir]

I don't like how people are posting about a potential suicide when nothing has been reported. I find that very disrespectful.

[LilyRaven]

I was in shock when I read this on SI. I have to agree, let's not start jumping to conclusions about suicide or overdose out of respect for the deceased and his family. The fact is we have no facts and won't until the autopsy findings are released.

My heartfelt sympathies to those close to him.

[theFRANCHISE]

Given the sensitive nature of the situation, let's not speculate on causes of death until official word has been released out of respect for the deceased and his friends and family.

[flygunit88]

rest in peace tony....

[Sub-Zero]

RIP

thanks for your service for this great country. It didn't matter that you didn't make the team, you were already a part of a much bigger one