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2016 Football In Memoriam: Remembering the Legends Lost

By Sayre Bedinger

Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; A sign honoring former Nebraska Cornhuskers punter Sam Foltz (27) will greet players on their way to the field for the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; A sign honoring former Nebraska Cornhuskers punter Sam Foltz (27) will greet players on their way to the field for the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; A general view inside the Islamic Center of Boulder where funeral services were held for former NFL and Colorado Buffaloes running back Rashaan Salaam the 1994 Heisman Trophy winner who was found dead Monday night in Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder of a suspected suicide. He was 42. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY NETWORK
Dec 9, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; A general view inside the Islamic Center of Boulder where funeral services were held for former NFL and Colorado Buffaloes running back Rashaan Salaam the 1994 Heisman Trophy winner who was found dead Monday night in Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder of a suspected suicide. He was 42. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY NETWORK /

Rashaan Salaam: 1974-2016

After serving as a backup for his first two seasons at the University of Colorado, Rashaan Salaam burst onto the scene in 1994. As a junior, Salaam rushed for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. Colorado would go on to win the Fiesta Bowl and finish ranked number three in the nation that season. That would be Salaam’s final year in Boulder, as he decided to forego his senior season and enter the 1995 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears would select Salaam with the 21st overall selection in 1995, one of five running backs to come off the board in round one that year. He excelled as a rookie, rushing for 1,074 yards and 10 touchdowns. He still holds the record for being the youngest player to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, as he didn’t turn 21 until October of his rookie season. Fumbles and injuries would become an issue and Salaam would lose his starting job the following season to Raymont Harris. He would never regain the feature back role and 1997 would be the last for Salaam in Chicago. He would play in only two more games in the NFL as a member of the Cleveland Browns in 1999.

Despite traveling around the world conducting various business ventures, Salaam remained close to the University of Colorado. He recently established the Rashaan Salaam Spin Foundation in Denver which provided support to youth in need. He passed away on December 5th at the age of 42.

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