Former Michigan linebacker Obi Ezeh dies at age 36

Obi Ezeh, who played linebacker at Michigan, has died.  He was 36. 

Ezeh’s mother, Nkechy, shared an emotional post about her son on Facebook, calling him her “quiet giant!”  

“Mother Mary please hold his hands for me,” she wrote.  “St. Peter open the gate for him as the celestial choirs marshal him in to Jesus. My Obinna Ezeh, you will always be in my heart my beloved son.

The Michigan football program also expressed its condolences on its social media account on Sunday. 

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Wolverine linebacker Obi Ezeh," the post read. "Our prayers go out to his family, friends and former teammates. May he rest in peace."

No cause of death was given.

Ezeh attended Grand Rapids Catholic Central before coming to Michigan. In 2008, he won the Zatkoff Award as the team’s top linebacker and the following year was a Butkus Award semi-finalist. 

He finished his Michigan career in 2010 as the active career leader in tackles, with 293. He had 19.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and eight pass breakups. He collected nine games with double-digit tackles.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

@chengelis