Reuters
Retired football star Rashaan Salaam was found dead in a Boulder, Colorado park Monday night at age 42. Salaam, a running back, won the Heisman Trophy in 1994 for the University of Colorado. He was a first-round draft pick for the Chicago Bears, where he became the youngest player to rush 1,000 yards. His cause of death is unknown, and authorities said there were no signs of foul play. The Daily Camera reported that police are investigating the death as a possible suicide.
Former teammates and coaches remembered Salaam's upbeat personality. "He had a happy heart," Salaam's college coach Bill McCartney said in a Tuesday statement. "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.”