Former Heisman Trophy Winner Rashaan Salaam Dies at Age 42

A family spokesman confirmed former NFL running back Rashaan Salaam, 42, died on Dec. 9, according to a release on the University of Colorado's official athletics website and ESPN's Adam Schefter.

On Thursday, the Boulder County coroner ruled that Salaam took his own life, with the autopsy ruling Salaam "shot himself in the head in the Boulder park where he was found," per Allison Sylte of 9News.com.

Salaam, the 1994 Heisman Trophy winner, spent three years with the Chicago Bears and also played for the Cleveland Browns. He finished his NFL career with 1,684 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.

After his final year in the NFL in 1999, Salaam played for the Memphis Maniax in the XFL. In the league's only season, he finished fourth in rushing yards (528) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (five). He last suited up for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL in 2004.

In college, Salaam starred for the Colorado Buffaloes. He led the country in rushing yards (2,055) and rushing touchdowns (24) as a junior en route to becoming the first Colorado player to win the Heisman.

Bill McCartney, who coached the Buffaloes from 1982 to 1994, provided a statement after Salaam's death, per Neill Woelk of Colorado's official athletics website: "He was very coachable. 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."

Chad Brown, who played for Colorado from 1989 to 1992, also reacted to the news:

Salaam is on the ballot for induction into the college football Hall of Fame, and the 2017 class will be announced Jan. 6.