Heisman winner Salaam found dead in Colorado park
Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam was found dead Monday night in a Boulder park less than two miles from Folsom Field, where he carved his name into the University of Colorado record books as one of the greatest players in the program's history.
The Boulder County coroner's office was still investigating the cause of the death of the 42-year-old Salaam, who won the Heisman in 1994.
Salaam's mother, Khalada, told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday that police said they suspect he killed himself.
Salaam's death stunned the Colorado football community which this year celebrated a revival with a 10-3 record, an appearance in the Pac-12 championship game and the Buffaloes' first bowl bid in almost a decade.
Former teammate Matt Russell, now the Denver Broncos director of player personnel, said Salaam was a "fiercely loyal friend," the "ultimate teammate" and the very "definition of a winner."
Salaam rushed for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior in 1994, leading the Buffaloes to an 11-1 record, a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl and a No. 3 finish in the final polls.
Former teammate Blake Anderson can't forget how Salaam used to lift weights with the offensive linemen, because "that's how strong he was, and how dedicated he was."
The Chicago Bears made him a first-round draft pick in 1995, and he rushed for 1,074 yards and 10 touchdowns in winning NFC Rookie of the Year honors.
Salaam played for the Memphis Maniax of the defunct XFL and attempted one last comeback with the NFL before retiring.