Mike McCarthy’s younger brother dies Wednesday

Mike McCarthy’s younger brother, Joe McCarthy, died Wednesday at the age of 47.

The Packers head coach suddenly canceled his end-of-the-season news conference Wednesday morning.

Wednesday afternoon, it was reported that Joe McCarthy died after collapsing at a gym in suburban Pittsburgh. Joe McCarthy was a former Pennsylvania deputy attorney general.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy released a statement Wednesday night: “The Packers family was very saddened today to learn of the passing of Joseph McCarthy III, the younger brother of Mike McCarthy. Our sincere condolences are with Joe and Ellen, Mike and Jessica and the entire McCarthy family.”

“The McCarthy family appreciates the overwhelming support they have received, as well as the respect for their privacy, during this difficult time,” the release said.

Green Bay Packers fans took to Twitter to express condolences. Some used the hashtag “perspective” in reference to the Packers season-ending loss to Seattle in Sunday’s NFC championship game.

An autopsy Thursday should determine the cause of his death.

The Packers coach and his younger brother were the only sons of Joe and Ellen McCarthy. Siblings also include three sisters. The Journal Sentinel reported Mike and Joe McCarthy played sports together growing up and worked cleaning their father’s bar in Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Joe McCarthy III ran his own law firm in the Pittsburgh area.