Former Rutgers Football Captain Jamil Merrell Passes Away at 36
Jamil Merrell, a former captain of the Rutgers football team, has passed away at the age of 36. His twin brother, Jamal, who also played for the Scarlet Knights, shared the sad news.
Jamal didn’t disclose the reason for his brother’s death but mentioned that their family is enduring “one of the most difficult moments we will ever have to face.”
In an emotional Instagram post, Jamal recalled Jamil’s peace before his passing, saying, “It’s time to level up. Everything is done for me here.” Those words, Jamal noted, would stay with him forever.
Jamil Merrell played as a defensive lineman at Rutgers from 2009 to 2013. Over his college career, he participated in 34 games and started 18, accumulating 81 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss.
He served as a co-captain alongside Jamal during his senior year, eventually signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, though he didn’t see action in an NFL game. He later joined teams like the Brooklyn Bolts in the Fall Experimental League and the Los Angeles KISS in the Arena Football League.
At the time of his passing, Jamil was working as a defensive coordinator at Red Lion Christian Academy in Delaware. The school’s staff expressed on Facebook that “Coach Jamil’s heart, knowledge, and passion will forever be a part of our program,” and remembered him as an inspirational figure who impacted many lives positively.
Jamal talked about their deep bond, noting that they made history as the first brothers to captain Rutgers in 120 years. He shared how they’ve been side by side since birth, and he finds it hard to envision life without Jamil. He thanked him for the laughter, lessons, and memories they created together.
In his heartfelt message, Jamal described witnessing Jamil’s fight against his illness as incredibly brave. He reflected on Jamil’s strength and resilience, praising his ability to endure without complaint. Jamal expressed his heartbreak but also found some solace in knowing that Jamil is free from pain, writing, “No more suffering. No more hospitals. No more hurt. Just peace… the peace you deserve.”
