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Former Arizona Cardinals safety Kwamie Lassiter dies at age 49

The cause of death was not specified
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Former Arizona Cardinals safety Kwamie Lassiter passed away Sunday, the Cardinals announced. He was 49 years old.

Lassiter went undrafted but had a 10-year NFL career, including eight years with the Cardinals from 1995-2002. He was instrumental in the Cardinals' playoff berth in 1998, their first in Arizona, as he recorded eight interceptions that season, including four in the regular-season finale that put the Cardinals in the playoffs.

Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reported Lassiter suffered a heart attack while exercising.

Lassiter recorded 588 total tackles, 24 interceptions and five fumble recoveries during his eight seasons with the Cardinals. He played for the San Diego Chargers in 2003 before completing his NFL career with the St. Louis Rams in 2004.

Lassiter has eight children. His son Kwamie Lassiter, II is currently a wide receiver at Kansas, the same university his father attended. Lassiter created the Kwamie Lassiter Foundation to raise awareness for childhood challenges such as obesity, cancer and sickle cell. The charity is based in Chandler.

Following the Cardinals' announcement, Lassiter's former teammates and friends were quick to offer their condolences.