*Rashaan Salaam, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards at the University of Colorado en route to winning the 1994 Heisman Trophy, died at a park in Boulder, the county coroner’s office confirmed Tuesday afternoon. He was 42.
Salaam’s body was discovered at Eben G. Fine Park on Monday evening. A determination on how he died was not announced, pending an autopsy. According to TMZ, there were no obvious signs of foul play.
“The Buff Family has lost an outstanding young man and a great Buff today,” Athletic Director Rick George said in a statement released by the university. “We are heartbroken for Rashaan and his family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time.”
“This is a sad day for the entire university community as we mourn Rashaan’s death,” CU Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano said. “Rashaan will be remembered as one of the greatest football players to ever wear a Buffs uniform, and his 1994 Heisman Trophy brought great prestige and honor to the university. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
In 1994, Salaam rushed for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns as he led the Buffalos to an 11-1 record and a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. CU finished that season ranked No. 3 in the nation, the second-best ever finish for a Colorado team.
“He was very coachable,” former head coach Bill McCartney said in a statement released by the school. “He had a happy heart. I loved being around him. 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.”
He opted to enter the NFL draft the following spring rather than return for his senior year in Boulder and was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears. He ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns as a rookie, but his production tailed off dramatically the following two seasons.
Salaam appeared in two games for the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and despite repeated attempts did not catch on with another NFL team.
CU Sports Information Director Dave Plati knew Salaam well.
“I am speechless,” Plati said Tuesday. “I’ve stayed in constant touch with Rashaan since he left CU. You develop a special bond with players you escort to the Heisman ceremonies – Darian Hagan, Eric Bieniemy, Rashaan. It’s hard to explain but when you go through that weekend of events, your relationship with them is taken up a notch. We’re minus one true Buffalo today.”
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