Former Rutgers football captain Jamil Merrell died at the age of 36, according his twin brother and fellow former Scarlet Knight Jamal.<\/p>\n
Jamal did not reveal the cause of death, and said his family is facing \u201cone of the hardest moments we\u2019ll ever have to face.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore this moment, he looked at us with peace and said, \u2018It\u2019s time for me to level up, and everything down here for me is complete,\u2019 \ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udffe,\u201d Jamal wrote Wednesday in an Instagram post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jamil Merrell (92) alongside twin brother Jamal (37) in 2013. AP<\/p>\n \u201cThose words will stay with me for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamil served as a defensive lineman for Rutgers from 2009-13, appearing in 34 games and starting 18 during his time with the program.<\/p>\n He\u2019s credited with 81 tackles, 8 1\/2 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, per the university<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jamil served as a co-captain alongside Jamal during his senior season, and later signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent although he did not appear an NFL game.<\/p>\n He also signed with the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental League, the Los Angeles KISS of the Arena Football League and Colorado Crush of the Indoor Football League.<\/p>\n Jamil had been serving as the defensive coordinator<\/a> for Red Lion Christian Academy in his native Delaware.<\/p>\n Jamil Merrell collects a sack in 2012. Getty Images<\/p>\n Jamil Merrell in 2012. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cCoach Jamil\u2019s heart, knowledge, and passion will forever be a part of our program,\u201d a member of the staff posted on Facebook<\/a>. \u201cCoach Jamil touched countless lives in a deeply positive way, and he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest, most inspirational coaches and friends in our program\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n Jamal said that his brother \u201cloved with his whole heart\u201d and was known for his honesty and helping others.<\/p>\n