Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam found dead in Colorado
Wednesday 7 December 2016 12:50, UK
Former Chicago Bears running back Rashaan Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994, has been found dead in a Colorado park.
The Boulder County coroner's office said it was still investigating the cause of the death of the 42-year-old Salaam, whose body was found at Eben G. Fine Park shortly before 9pm on Monday, but police said foul play was not suspected.
Salaam's mother, Khalada, told USA Today Sports that police said his death is suspected to be a suicide after they found a note.
"They said they found a note and would share that with us when we get there," she said.
Salaam played for three years at the University of Colorado, running for a school-record 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns in leading the Buffaloes to an 11-1 record and No 3 ranking in the final polls as a junior in 1994.
He won the Heisman Trophy, given to the best player in college football in the United States, that year and then forewent his senior season to enter the 1995 NFL draft.
The Chicago Bears made him a first-round draft pick and he rushed for 1,074 yards and 10 touchdowns in winning NFC Rookie of the Year honours.
At the age of 21 years and seven months he also became the youngest player in the league's history to run for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
However, injuries cut his career short, and he only scored three rushing touchdowns in the next two years in Chicago before he was released in April 1998.
Salaam went on to play two games with the Cleveland Browns during the 1999 season before a brief stint with the Memphis Maniax of the now defunct XFL in 2001. He attempted one last comeback with the NFL before retiring.
"The Buff Family has lost an outstanding young man and a great Buff today," the University of Colorado's athletic director Rick George said in a statement.
"We are heartbroken for Rashaan and his family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time."
