Ronyell Whitaker, a Norfolk native who starred in football at Lake Taylor High and Virginia Tech before playing in the NFL for parts of three seasons, died Sunday. He was 46.
His family announced his death in a statement. No cause of death was given, and funeral arrangements have not been announced.
“Ronyell lived a life marked by passion, perseverance and purpose,” his family said in the statement. “A gifted athlete, he proudly played high school football for Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia, and college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where his talent, determination and leadership on the field made a lasting impact.”
Whitaker was the nephew of boxing legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, but he made a name for himself on the football field.
Whitaker was an offensive and defensive dynamo at Lake Taylor, rushing for more than 6,400 yards and 84 touchdowns during his varsity career. He played multiple positions on both sides of the ball, was a three-time All-Tidewater first-team selection and was named The Virginian-Pilot Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Football Player of the Year in 1997.
“Ronyell has proven over and over that there is nothing he can’t accomplish,” Dan Newell, his coach with the Titans, told The Pilot after the 1997 season.
At Virginia Tech, Whitaker redshirted in 1998, then played the next four seasons, starting the final three. He was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2000 after intercepting five passes — including two during a Thursday night home victory over West Virginia in which he also had 11 tackles.
In 2001 as a redshirt junior, Whitaker was a first-team All-Big East pick and became the first Virginia Tech defensive back in 34 years to make an Associated Press All-America team. He was third-team after starting all 10 games and finishing with 53 tackles, 10 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown.
Whitaker finished his Hokies career with 190 tackles, seven interceptions and 29 pass breakups in 47 games.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Hokie Ronyell Whitaker,” Virginia Tech wrote in a post on X Monday morning. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time.”
We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Hokie Ronyell Whitaker. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time. pic.twitter.com/hCBmRfCmXA
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) February 23, 2026
Whitaker was undrafted out of Virginia Tech and signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played four games during the 2003 season with Tampa Bay, then totaled 27 games during the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Whitaker signed with Detroit but did not play in a game for the Lions before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.
After leaving football, Whitaker was a defensive backs coach at Chanhassen High School in Minnesota and according to his LinkedIn bio worked as a loss mitigation manager and relocating operation manager.
“While many knew him for his athletic accomplishments, those closest to him knew him best for his generous heart, unwavering loyalty and deep love for his family,” Whitaker’s family said. “He was a protector, a mentor and a source of strength and laughter to all who had the blessing of knowing him.”
