Ray Costict, a former inside linebacker for the New England Patriots, has died at the age of 56, according to the team.
Costict holds the record as Mississippi State's all-time leading tackler, amassing 467 tackles in three years.
The linebacker was drafted by the Patriots in 1977 and played his entire three-year career with the team. In his last two seasons, Costict, also known at 'Little Backer,' tallied 50.5 tackles.
Costict passed on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in Orlando, Florida.