Josh Cardiello Obituary Death News: Former Buford Football Star Josh Cardiello Passes Away at 30 After Unexpected

 The Buford community and the broader sphere of high school sports are grieving the tragic and unforeseen passing of Josh Cardiello, a former exceptional football player, who collapsed and died at the age of 30 from an unexpected cardiac arrest while playing basketball on January 5, 2026.

His father, Jay Cardiello, shared the devastating news on social media early that morning, stating that Josh’s death was "entirely unforeseen" and has left family, friends, and associates in deep sorrow.

Cardiello was a renowned athlete at Buford High School in Georgia, where he achieved three state championships and was a formidable force on the offensive line. His athletic performance earned him a full scholarship to play college football at the University of Georgia in 2013, after which he transferred and concluded his college journey as a third-year starter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Following his college experience, Cardiello chased his ambition of playing professional football. He participated in Rookie Camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL team he had passionately supported throughout his life.

However, his post-football life was characterized not solely by sporting success, but also by personal strength and career dedication. After the tragic passing of his younger brother Jacob due to sudden cardiac arrest in 2021, Cardiello devoted his career to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors, working with organizations like Amgen.

In this capacity, he concentrated on advocacy for patients and cardiovascular health, motivated by his personal insight into the impact that heart disease can have on families.

Josh’s father noted that his son’s kindness, honesty, and dedication to patient-centered work shaped his identity both in his career and personal life. The experience of losing a sibling to sudden cardiac arrest pushed Josh to assist healthcare providers and patients facing similar issues, actively striving to enhance the outcomes for those affected by cardiovascular ailments.

The passing of Cardiello has created profound sadness not only due to his accomplishments but also because of its haunting resemblance to other heartbreaking losses. The death of his brother from sudden cardiac arrest, along with the memory of former Buford assistant coach Ryan Daniel, who also passed away from a heart-related issue at age 30, has intensified the community’s sense of loss.

Cardiello is survived by his wife of over two years and their young daughter, along with extended family and a circle of friends and colleagues who remember him as a "gentle giant" with a big heart—both on the field and off.

In honor of his memory, the family has requested that contributions be made to Who We Play For, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting heart screenings for student-athletes and raising awareness about sudden cardiac death in young individuals. His funeral service was planned for January 10 at First Baptist Church in Buford.

The death of Josh Cardiello serves as a stark reminder of the concealed threats posed by cardiac conditions—even amongst young, seemingly healthy athletes—and has reignited demands for broader access to heart screenings and preventive healthcare measures for both children and adults.