Brother of Ravens star Calais Campbell charged in killing of their mother
Published in Football
BALTIMORE — The brother of Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell was charged with murder Wednesday after their mother was found dead at the family’s home in Georgia, according to Fulton County Jail records.
Ciarre Campbell, 41, was booked shortly after midnight Wednesday on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a knife, according to court records. He waived his initial court hearing Wednesday and remained in jail, according to court documents.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday night that Nateal Campbell, 71, the mother of Calais Campbell, died at the home. Atlanta Police said at the time that a male suspect was in custody.
Nateal Campbell was found unresponsive inside a home in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. According to a statement on the police department’s website, Atlanta Police responded to a welfare check at the home shortly after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The time of death is listed as 4:59 p.m., according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a male appeared to have barricaded himself inside the home, according to the statement. Police made entry into the residence and found an older woman unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.
Homicide investigators responded to the scene. Police said the investigation was ongoing and the report had not been finalized.
Ciarre Campbell is the brother of Calais Campbell, who played for the Falcons in 2023 before rejoining the Ravens this offseason. The family has not publicly commented on the charges.
“We are devastated to share that the Campbell Family has lost its matriarch, Mrs. Nateal Campbell,” Calais Campbell’s family said in a statement. “While the details of her passing are still being investigated, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with our father, her beloved Chuck, and in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask for privacy at this time so that we may honor her and share in our overwhelming grief privately and as a family.”
Ciarre Campbell also played football at Denver South High School and later played cornerback at Colorado State and Montana. He was also on the track and field team at Colorado State.
Ciarre Campbell had spent time in Arizona and Atlanta in recent years and, according to court records, was found guilty in 2021 of disorderly conduct involving a weapon and of false reporting to law enforcement in Arizona’s Maricopa County.
Lt. Christopher Butler with Atlanta Police told WSBTV in Atlanta on Tuesday that officers had previously responded to the home in April, with indications that the call may have involved a mental health issue involving the same man who was detained.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn about the passing of Calais Campbell’s mother,” Ravens spokesperson Chad Steele said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences and full support to Calais and his family during this difficult time. We ask that everyone please respect their privacy while they grieve from this heartbreaking loss.”
Calais Campbell, who has five brothers and two sisters, described Nateal as “my rock” in a 2017 story for The Players’ Tribune. Reaching the NFL, he wrote, “was as much about her as it was about me.”
Spearheaded by Campbell, the family founded the Charles R. Campbell Foundation, named for the family’s patriarch who died in 2003. The foundation provides mentorship and educational resources for young people — a core value of Campbell’s career.
He wrote a letter dedicated to his mother in 2018 as part of a “SportsCenter Featured” segment. He read it aloud for the cameras, not realizing Nateal was in the other room watching.
“You are the most giving person I have ever known,” he said, in part. “I have witnessed you give plenty to complete strangers even though we didn’t have much to give.”
Campbell followed in his parents’ footsteps, using his NFL platform for good in the community. He was named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2019 after a pair of nominations earlier in his career.
“My goal when I give back is to inspire people, to encourage people to believe that dreams are achievable if you put the work in,” he said at the NFL Honors ceremony.
He has at least five sacks in each of the past four seasons, including 6 1/2 with the Arizona Cardinals last year, and his 117 career sacks rank fourth among active players and 34th all time. Campbell acknowledged this season may be his last.
“It’s mind-blowing,” he said earlier this month. “I’m just a kid who loves playing football, and I get to keep playing. I’m happy.”
Campbell, a second-round draft pick by Arizona out of the University of Miami in 2008, spent three seasons with the Ravens from 2020 to 2022.
“Calais can still play at a really high level,” Ravens coach Jesse Minter said in June. “I think his tape last season speaks for itself. … Sometimes sack numbers come on a team that didn’t win a lot of games, so it’s even more impressive some of the numbers that he was able to have because you’re not playing with a lead all of the time and really able to tee off.”
Added defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver: “He’s one of those guys that doesn’t just make our defensive line better; he makes our defense better. He makes our team better. And anytime you can inject that type of energy and leadership into a locker room, that’s a win.”
The Cardinals posted a message on X offering condolences to the defensive end.
“At this time of unfathomable tragedy, our hearts are with Calais Campbell and his family. We hope they find strength and comfort in the love, prayers, and support that surround them now and in the days ahead,” the team wrote.
The Ravens begin training camp July 29.
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Bridget Byrne and Luke Parker contributed to this article.
©2026 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.






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