Rashaan Salaam, former Heisman Trophy-winning running back, dies

 Rashaan Salaam, former Heisman Trophy-winning running back, dies

Rashaan Salaam, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1994, has died, a family spokesperson said Tuesday

He was 42

Salaam's body was found in a parking lot at Eben G. Fine Park and 911 was called just before 9 p.m. on Monday, according to Boulder Police spokesperson Shannon Cordingly. The park is less than two miles from Folsom Field, where Salaam starred as a running back for the University of Colorado

Cordingly said there were no signs of foul play and an autopsy to determine the cause of death will be performed by the Boulder County Coroner's Office. Police told Salaam's mother, Khalada, they suspect suicide after finding a note. She told USA Today Sports, "They said they found a note and would share that with us when we get there

"The Buff Family has lost an outstanding young man and a great Buff today," Colorado athletic director Rick George said Tuesday. "We are heartbroken for Rashaan and his family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time

The Chicago Bears, who picked Salaam in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 1995 draft, tweeted, "Our thoughts are with his family

Denver Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell, who was Salaam's teammate at Colorado from 1992 to '94, released this statement

"Rashaan was as dynamic off the field as he was on the field as a player. He was a fiercely loyal friend, someone who was always in your corner and had your back. He was the ultimate teammate and supportive of everyone in his locker room. If there was ever a guy who was going to get a personal foul for protecting someone on his team, Rashaan was that guy

"Rashaan was the ultimate Buffalo and was so proud to be called a 'Colorado Buffalo.' We were part of the same recruiting class, what we called 'nine deuce,' the Class of 1992. On the field, Rashaan was the definition of a winner. It was important to him. He practiced hard, he played hard and he made our teams better. Rashaan and I laughed a lot after practices because we had so many battles and fights. Even when we last saw each other a few years ago at the CU Hall of Fame induction, we still shared those great memories and had a lot of laughs from our time together at Colorado

ophy in 1994, a season in which the Buffaloes finished No. 3 in the final Associated Press poll. He rushed for 2,055 and 24 touchdowns that season and also won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards

During his rookie season, he became the youngest player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards. He was 21 years, 77 days old. He rushed for 1,074 and 10 touchdowns that season

Salaam was plagued by injuries and fumbles (he lost 14 in 31 games for the Bears). He acknowledged in 1999 that marijuana use contributed to his problems in Chicago. "It probably had me out there lackadaisical instead of going out there 100 percent," he told ESPN in an interview then

"Everybody thinks getting high is cool, you can let it go when you want to let it go," he said. "But it's just as potent as cocaine