Former Texans DT Louis Nix Is Tragically Dead After Going Missing in Florida
The sports world received tragic news on Saturday, February 27, with the death of Houston Texans defensive tackle Louis Nix III.
Nix, a standout defensive tackle under Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, went missing earlier this week. His disappearance came nearly three months after he was shot during a robbery in December 2020.
Louis Nix tragically died at age 29
The family of Louis Nix is in mourning right now.
ActionNewsJax.com in Florida reported Saturday night that Nix, a former star defensive tackle at Notre Dame, died at age 29. The Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office located Nix and his car, a 2014 Hyundai Azera, earlier Saturday night.
Local police pulled Nix’s car from a pond near Nix’s home.
Prior to the death announcement, Nix’s mother told Ben Becker, a reporter for the station, that she last spoke to her son on February 24. Becker shared a message he received from Nix’s mother.
”I called to see if he felt up to driving his brother to work. he didn’t feel up to it but he came any.askme what I was up to and told him Appreciate him told me he loved me Call me back to say his brother made it on time.and he was going to take it easy.”
Becker asked Nix’s mother if she believed her son was in danger. She said yes.
“This is out of the normal for him,” Nix’s mother told Becker.
Nix survived a robbery and shooting in December
Louis Nix’s death came nearly three months after he was shot during a robbery at a gas station in December 2020. According to Yahoo, Nix suffered a fractured sternum and had a bullet lodged into his lung.
Nix went live on Instagram while in the ambulance. He explained that decision to News4Jax.com after the fact.
“I just knew I couldn’t dial a number on my phone, so when I was in the ambulance, I put it on Instagram. I just wanted to relay that message so if I did go out, my family and the people I love would know I love them. That was the most important thing.”
Nix’s mother told Becker that she didn’t believe his disappearance was related to the shooting. According to Nix’s mother, he had been attending physical therapy before he went missing.
Injuries kept Louis Nix from lasting in the NFL
At this time a decade ago, Louis Nix hoped to be the next star impact defensive lineman to come from Notre Dame.
After signing with Notre Dame in 2010, Nix totaled 14 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and broke up eight passes for the Fighting Irish from 2011-13. The Houston Texans used the 83rd overall pick on Nix in 2014, the same draft where they used the top selection on Jadeveon Clowney.
Nix didn’t play as a rookie after undergoing knee surgery, and the Texans cut him in September 2015. Knee injuries limited Nix to four games in the NFL, all of which came with the New York Giants in 2015.
He last appeared on an NFL roster in the spring of 2017 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
