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Rashaan Salaam’s Mother Says Police Suspect Suicide, Discovered Note Next to NFL Player’s Body

Rashaan Salaam
Rashaan Salaam during a pre-season game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois in 1995Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

Police suspect NFL player Rashaan Salaam’s death was a suicide after discovering a note next to his body, his mother, Khalada, told USA Today on Tuesday, December 6. The former Heisman Trophy winner was found dead at age 42 in a parking lot in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, December 5.

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“They said they found a note and would share that with us when we get there,” she told USA Today. “It’s just a big trip. That’s all I can say.… We just found out this morning and we’re going to Colorado to take care of him.”

Earlier, authorities said there was no sign of foul play after the football player’s body was found in a parking lot at Eben G. Fine Park around 9 p.m.  on Monday. 

Rashaan, a former star running back for University of Colorado, won the Heisman Trophy in 1994. He was a first-round draft pick into the NFL in 1995 and went on to play for the Chicago Bears before being plagued by injuries. He told ESPN in 1999 that marijuana use also contributed to the end of his football career.

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His mother told the newspaper that Rashaan, who was revered by the CU community, would likely be buried in Boulder. Her son “liked it there and was successful there, and he liked the people there,” she said.

CU Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano said in a Tuesday statement on the university’s website that Rashaan’s death was “sad day for the entire community” and wrote that the late athlete would be “remembered as one of the greatest football players to ever wear a Buffs uniform.”

People in need of emotional support can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

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