A former high school football star who went on to become a devoted husband and father has died suddenly at just 30 years old—four years after his younger brother passed away from the same cause.
Josh Cardiello, a graduate of Buford High School in Buford, Georgia, died Monday morning, Jan. 5, after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing basketball, according to local outlet WSB-TV.
Josh’s father, Jay Cardiello, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a social media post, calling his son’s death completely unexpected.
“His loss was completely unexpected and has left our family, friends, and colleagues heartbroken,” Jay wrote.
The tragedy echoes a devastating loss the family endured in 2021, when Josh’s younger brother, Jacob, also died from sudden cardiac arrest. In the years that followed, Jay said Josh dedicated his professional life to honoring his brother’s memory.
“Following the loss of his younger brother, Jacob, to sudden cardiac arrest in 2021, Josh dedicated his professional life to honoring Jacob’s memory through meaningful, patient-focused work,” Jay wrote. “His commitment, integrity, and compassion defined who he was—both personally and professionally.”
Josh worked for Amgen, and his father said he was deeply respected by colleagues and the patients he served.
An obituary released by Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory described Josh as “a big giant Teddy Bear with a heart of gold.”
Josh graduated from Buford High School in 2013, where he was a three-time state champion football player, and later earned his degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2017. He began his college football career at the University of Georgia on a full scholarship before finishing as a third-year starter at Chattanooga.
He also participated in rookie camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team he had followed since childhood and whose 2002 Super Bowl he attended as a young fan.
In the wake of losing both sons, Jay Cardiello said he plans to channel his grief into advocacy—pushing for national genetic testing at birth, routine heart screenings throughout childhood, and continued advancements in cardiovascular care.
A celebration of Josh’s life is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, in Buford.
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Who We Play For, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing heart health screenings for student athletes in an effort to prevent sudden cardiac arrest during sports.
Happening at that age, it points very strongly to genetics.
Sorry for the family.