Former Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam found dead, possible suicide
Rashaan Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 while at the University of Colorado, was found dead in a park in Boulder. He was 42.
While the details are not official and Boulder police spokeswoman Shannon Cordingly told the press that no foul play is suspected, USA Today reported that Salaam’s mother, Khalada Salaam, said that police told her they suspect the death is a suicide.
“They said they found a note and would share that with us when we get there,” she is quoted as saying in the USA Today post.
Rashaan Salaam was found in Eben B. Fine Park just before 9 p.m. Monday.
“He had a happy heart. I loved being around him,” former Colorado Coach Bill McCartney told CUBuffs.com. “He didn’t take himself too seriously, and he always credited those around him, especially his offensive line. What I liked about him is that he had a sparkle in his eye. He was upbeat and positive.”
Salaam led the Buffaloes to a No. 3 finish nationally in 1994 as a junior. He rushed for 2,055 yards and easily won the Heisman Trophy over running back Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State.
Salaam was the youngest NFL player to reach 1,000 yards rushing and was NFC Rookie of the Year in 1995, but he played just 33 games in his pro career.
[…] The Global Dispatch: Rashaan Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 while at the University of Colorado, was found dead in a park in Boulder. He was 42. […]