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{{Short description|American football player (1974–2016)}}
{{NFL player
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
|Name=Rashaan Salaam
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
|Image=
{{Infobox NFL biography
|DateOfBirth={{birth date and age|1974|10|8}}
| name = Rashaan Salaam
|Birthplace= [[La Jolla, California]]
| image = Rashaan Salaam holding Heisman trophy in 1994.jpg
|DateOfDeath=
| image_size = 240px
|Position=[[Running back]]
| alt =
|College=[[University of Colorado at Boulder|Colorado]]
| caption = With the [[Heisman Trophy]] in [[1994 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy voting|1994]]
|DraftedYear=1995
| number = 31, 29
|DraftedRound=1/ Pick 21
| position = [[Running back]]
|PFR=
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1974|10|8}}
|Career Highlights=Y
| birth_place = [[San Diego, California]], U.S.
|Awards=1994 [[Heisman Trophy]]<br />1994 [[Walter Camp Award]]<br />1994 [[Doak Walker Award]]<br />1994 [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Jim Brown Trophy|Jim Brown Award]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|12|5|1974|10|8}}
|Stats=Y
| death_place = [[Boulder, Colorado]], U.S.
|DatabaseFootball=SALAARAS01
| height_ft = 6
|CBS=1087
| height_in = 1
|years=1995-1997<br />1999<br />1999<br />2001<br />2003<br />2004
| weight_lb = 225
|teams=[[Chicago Bears]]<br />[[Cleveland Browns]]<br />[[Green Bay Packers]] *<br />[[Memphis Maniax]]<br />[[San Francisco 49ers]] *<br />[[Toronto Argonauts]] *
| high_school = [[La Jolla Country Day School|La Jolla Country Day]] (San Diego)
:<small>*Inactive and/or practice squad member only</small>
| college = [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]] (1992–1994)
|ProBowls=
|HOF=
| draftyear = 1995
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 21
| pastteams =
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1995|1997}})
* [[Oakland Raiders]] (1999)*
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1999}})
* [[Green Bay Packers]] (1999)
* [[Memphis Maniax]] (2001)
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|2003}})*
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ({{CFL Year|2004}})*
| highlights =
* [[UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year|UPI NFC Rookie of the Year]] (1995)
* [[Heisman Trophy]] (1994)
* [[Walter Camp Award]] (1994)
* [[Doak Walker Award]] (1994)
* [[Touchdown Club of Columbus#Jim Brown Trophy|Jim Brown Trophy]] (1994)
* [[Chic Harley Award]] (1994)
* [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|Unanimous All-American]] ([[1994 College Football All-America Team|1994]])
* [[Sporting News College Football Player of the Year|''SN'' Player of the Year]] (1994)
* [[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] Offensive Player of the Year (1994)
* 2× First-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] ([[1993 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1993]], [[1994 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1994]])
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 1,684
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.6
| statlabel3 = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3 = 13
| statlabel4 = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4 = 16
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 120
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = SalaRa00
| CollegeHOF = 2494
}}
}}
'''Rashaan Iman Salaam''' (born October 8, 1974 in [[La Jolla, California]]) is a former professional [[American football]] player. Salaam won the 1994 [[Heisman Trophy]] as a [[running back]] for the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]], rushing for 2,055 yards by the end of the season. Salaam is the fourth major [[college football]] player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. A high school All-American running back from [[San Diego, California|San Diego]] ([[La Jolla Country Day School|La Jolla Country Day]]), Salaam's success at Colorado led to his selection as the [[Chicago Bears]]’ first-round draft pick in the [[1995 NFL Draft]].
'''Rashaan Iman Salaam''' (October 8, 1974 – December 5, 2016) was an American professional [[American football|football]] [[running back]] who played for four seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) during the 1990s. Salaam played [[college football]] for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado Buffaloes]] and won the [[Heisman Trophy]] in 1994. He was picked by the [[Chicago Bears]] in the first round of the [[1995 NFL draft]], and played professionally for the Bears and the [[Cleveland Browns]]. Salaam died by suicide on December 5, 2016.<ref name="si2019">{{cite news |last1=Rohan |first1=Tim |title=Death of a Heisman Winner: The Fall of Rashaan Salaam |url=https://www.si.com/college/2019/12/10/rashaan-salaam-death-heisman |access-date=December 14, 2019 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=December 10, 2019}}</ref>


==Early years==
==Early life==
Born in [[San Diego, California]],<ref name=nflprofile>National Football League, Historical Players, [http://www.nfl.com/player/rashaansalaam/2502804/profile Rashaan Salaam], Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> Salaam was the son of former [[1968 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] running back Teddy Washington (later Sulton Salaam, after converting to Islam).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/sports/pro-football-notebook-dad-son-duos-run-up-the-score.html|title=PRO FOOTBALL: NOTEBOOK; Dad-Son Duos Run Up the Score|last=Smith|first=Timothy|date=June 18, 1995|access-date=October 22, 2014}}</ref> A&nbsp;practicing [[Muslim]],<ref>Chicago Tribune, "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/04/30/dodging-doubt-like-tacklers/ Dodging Doubt Like Tacklers]," ''Chicago Tribune'' (April 30, 1995). Retrieved December 9, 2015.</ref> he&nbsp;attended [[La Jolla Country Day School]] in suburban San Diego,<ref name=dbfprofile>databaseFootball.com, Players, [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SALAARAS01 Rashaan Salaam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121195849/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SALAARAS01 |date=January 21, 2012 }}. Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> and played [[eight-man football]]. Salaam ran for over 100 yards in every game except against Christian High of El Cajon, coached by Dale Peterson. He was recognized as a high school [[All-America]]n, and was later inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.<ref>City News Service, "[http://lajollalight.com/2010/11/29/la-jolla-country-day-grad-rashaam-salaamtops-list-of-50-best-san-diego-football-players/ La Jolla Country Day grad Rashaan Salaam tops list of 50 best San Diego football players] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809152114/http://www.lajollalight.com/2010/11/29/la-jolla-country-day-grad-rashaam-salaamtops-list-of-50-best-san-diego-football-players/ |date=August 9, 2011 }}," ''La Jolla Light'' (November 29, 2010). Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref>
Salaam attended the La Jolla Country Day School, where he played 8-man football and ran for over 100 yards in every game except for one. He was held under 100 yards against Christian High School, in an 11 man game. His team still won the game 16–13.


==College career==
==College career==
Salaam attended the [[Colorado Buffaloes football|University of Colorado]] in [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], where he played for the [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Buffaloes]] from [[1992 Colorado Buffaloes football team|1992]] to [[1994 Colorado Buffaloes football team|1994]]. As a junior in 1994, Salaam had one of the best individual seasons in college football history, rushing for a school-record 2,055 yards and becoming only the fourth college running back to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He also amassed 24 touchdowns and helped lead Colorado to an 11–1 record, including a 41–24 win over [[1994 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]] in the [[1995 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]], and a No. 3 ranking in the final [[1994 NCAA Division I-A football rankings|Associated Press poll]]. The Buffaloes' only loss of the season was to [[Big Eight Conference]] [[Colorado–Nebraska football rivalry|rival]] [[1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]], which finished undefeated and ranked first in both major polls as [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national champions]].
{{Expand|date=November 2008}}
[[Image:Rashaan Salaam-Heisman.JPG|thumb|right|[[Heisman Trophy]]]]
As a junior, Salaam had one of the best individual seasons by a running back in college football history in 1994, rushing for a school-record 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns and leading Colorado to an 11-1 record, including a 41-24 win over Notre Dame in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, and a No. 3 finish in the final Associated Press poll. The Buffaloes' only loss on the season was at the hands of Big Eight rival Nebraska, which would finish undefeated and No. 1 in both the AP and United Press International polls at year's end. Salaam had four consecutive 200-yard rushing games during the season, his best effort coming against Texas, when he set a school record with 362 yards total offense in a 34-31 Colorado win in Austin. He was a unanimous all-American and became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner in December, besting runner-up [[Ki-Jana Carter]] of Penn State by 842 points. Though he had been little-known prior to the 1994 season, Salaam left school for the 1995 NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining.


Salaam had four consecutive 200-yard rushing games during the season, his best effort coming against the [[1994 Texas Longhorns football team|Texas Longhorns]], when he set a school record with 362 yards total offense in a 34–31 win at [[Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium|Austin]]. He was a [[List of unanimous All-Americans in college football|unanimous]] [[1994 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] and [[1994 NCAA Division I-A football season#Heisman Trophy voting|winner]] of the [[Heisman Trophy]] in December, beating out running back [[Ki-Jana Carter]] of [[1994 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Penn State]] and quarterbacks [[Steve McNair]] of [[1994 Alcorn State Braves football team|Alcorn State]] and [[Kerry Collins]] of Penn State.<ref>"[http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/10/former-bear-rashaan-salaam-sells-off-heisman-ring/ Former Bear Rashaan Salaam Sells Off Heisman Ring]," CBS Chicago (August 10, 2011). Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> Salaam also won the [[Walter Camp Award|Walter Camp]] and [[Doak Walker Award|Doak Walker]] awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19941130&id=SFBWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1398,7610885|title=Salaam wins award|agency=Associated Press|work=Eugene Register-Guard|page=5C|date=November 30, 1994|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timescall.com/ci_29965377/former-cu-buffs-bieniemy-salaam-college-football-hall|work=Longmont Times Call|title=Former CU Buffs Bieniemy, Salaam on College Football Hall of Fame ballot|first=Brian|last=Howell|date=June 1, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name="si2019"/>
==Pro football career==
In the [[National Football League|NFL]], the highly touted Salaam did not meet the high expectations. As a rookie, he rushed for over 1,000 yards (a [[Chicago Bears]] rookie record until 2001 when it was broken by [[Anthony Thomas (American football)|Anthony Thomas]]) and scored 10 touchdowns. But problems with injuries and fumbles led him to spend only three years with the Bears, ending with the [[1997 NFL season|1997]] season. Salaam spent [[1999 NFL season|1999]] with the [[Cleveland Browns]] and the [[Green Bay Packers]], but only played in two games for the Browns that year.


==Professional career==
Salaam briefly played in the ill-fated [[XFL]] for the [[Memphis Maniax]], but injury cut his season short and the league folded after one season. Still, he was the 4th most prolific rusher in the league with 528 yards.
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 7/8
| weight = 228
| bench = 21
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=23693 |title=Rashaan Salaam, Combine Results, RB - Colorado |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=October 9, 2022}}</ref>
}}


The Chicago Bears selected Salaam in the first round, with the 21st overall selection, of the [[1995 NFL draft]].<ref name=lazier>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-30/sports/ct-spt-0501-mitchell-rashaan-salaam-bears-chicago--20120430_1_lazier-nfl-draft-day|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502001336/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-30/sports/ct-spt-0501-mitchell-rashaan-salaam-bears-chicago--20120430_1_lazier-nfl-draft-day|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 2, 2012|title=Catching up with former Chicago Bear Rashaan Salaam|access-date=December 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, [http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2031 1995 National Football League Draft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630103117/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2031 |date=June 30, 2012 }}. Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> He played for the Bears from [[1995 Chicago Bears season|1995]] to [[1997 Chicago Bears season|1997]].<ref name=nflprofile/> As a rookie, he rushed for 1,074 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.<ref name=lazier/><ref name=pfrprofile>Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SalaRa00.htm Rashaan Salaam]. He was also UPI NFC Rookie of the year.Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> However, he also lost 9 fumbles and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Problems with injuries, fumbles, and marijuana use<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0501-mitchell-rashaan-salaam-bears-chicago--20120430,0,1086766.column|title=Catching up with former Chicago Bear Rashaan Salaam|website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=December 6, 2016}}</ref> led him to spend only three years with the Bears. During his two final years with Chicago, Salaam mustered only 608 combined yards.<ref>{{cite web|last=Russell |first=Dalton |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/chicago-bears-top-five-turkeys-franchise-history-153900262--nfl.html |title=Chicago Bears: Top Five Turkeys in Franchise History |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=November 28, 2013 |access-date=November 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204053031/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/chicago-bears-top-five-turkeys-franchise-history-153900262--nfl.html |archive-date=December 4, 2013 }}</ref> The Bears traded Salaam to the [[Miami Dolphins]] before the [[1998 Miami Dolphins season|1998]] season, but it was undone when Salaam failed a physical examination<!-- with Miami-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19980425&id=9vEaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=20cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4599,3197773|title=Miami pulls out on trade with Bears|agency=Associated Press|page=3B|work=[[The Daily News (Kentucky)|The Daily News]]|date=April 25, 1998|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name="si2019"/> Salaam spent {{nfly|1999}} with the [[1999 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] and the [[1999 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], but only played in two games for the Browns that year.<ref name=pfrprofile/>
After his stint with the Maniax, he tried out for the [[Detroit Lions]]. However, he did not make the squad.


Salaam briefly played in the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] for the [[Memphis Maniax]] in 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-rashaan-salaam-dead-20161206-story.html|title=Former Bear Rashaan Salaam found dead at 42|first=Dan|last=Wiederer|website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> but injury cut his season short and the league folded after one season. He finished the year with 528 yards gained.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-xfl.com/memphismaniax/team/roster/rashaansalaam.htm|title=Memphis Maniax Roster: Rashaan Salaam|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
Salaam launched what appeared to be a final attempt at an NFL career in [[2002 NFL season|2002]], beginning with a much publicized training at the [[Cris Carter]] Speed School. He was picked up by the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in [[2003 NFL season|2003]] but in August 2003, Salaam was subsequently let go by the 49ers in the second-to-last round of cuts. Despite receiving accolades from then 49ers head coach [[Dennis Erickson]], Salaam was never signed by another NFL team.


Salaam launched what appeared to be a final attempt at an NFL career in {{nfly|2002}}, beginning with a much publicized training at the [[Cris Carter]] Speed School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-03-04/sports/0303030481_1_rashaan-salaam-ki-jana-carter-cris-carter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081114/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-03-04/sports/0303030481_1_rashaan-salaam-ki-jana-carter-cris-carter|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2016|title=Future In The Past|access-date=December 6, 2016}}</ref> He was picked up by the [[San Francisco 49ers]] in [[2003 San Francisco 49ers season|2003]], but was released in the penultimate round of cuts in August, despite receiving accolades from head coach [[Dennis Erickson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/49ers-release-Salaam/96461061828580/|title=49ers release Salaam|access-date=December 6, 2016}}</ref>
Salaam was signed by the [[Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] on February 20, 2004. He was then suspended by the Argos in May, effectively ending his career there.

[[Image:Salaam_car_wash.jpg|thumb|150px|Salaam in 2009 washing my car.]]
Salaam was signed by the [[2004 Toronto Argonauts season|Toronto Argonauts]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) on February 20, 2004, but was suspended by the Argos in May, ending his football career.<ref name=espn>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18221607/former-heisman-trophy-winning-running-back-rashaan-salaam-died|title='94 Heisman winner Salaam dead at age 42|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
{{start box}}

{{succession box | title=[[Heisman Trophy]] Winner <br /> 1994 | before=[[Charlie Ward]] | after=[[Eddie George]] | years=}}
==NFL career statistics==
{{succession box | title=[[Chicago Bears draft picks|Bears 1<small>st</small> round draft pick]] | before=[[John Thierry]] | years=1995 | after=[[Walt Harris (football player)|Walt Harris]] }}
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
{{end box}}
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 Chicago Bears season|CHI]]
| '''16''' || '''11''' || '''296''' || '''1,074''' || '''3.6''' || '''42''' || '''10''' || '''7''' || '''56''' || 8.0 || '''18''' || 0
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Chicago Bears season|CHI]]
| 12 || 6 || 143 || 496 || 3.5 || 32 || 3 || '''7''' || 44 || 6.3 || 11 || '''1'''
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] !! [[1997 Chicago Bears season|CHI]]
| 3 || 3 || 31 || 112 || '''3.6''' || 17 || 0 || 2 || 20 || '''10.0''' || '''18''' || 0
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Cleveland Browns season|CLE]]
| 2 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SalaRa00.htm Career] !! 33 !! 20 !! 471 !! 1,684 !! 3.6 !! 42 !! 13 !! 16 !! 120 !! 7.5 !! 18 !! 1
|}

== Death ==
On December 5, 2016, 42-year-old Salaam was found dead in a city park (Eben G. Fine) in [[Boulder, Colorado]]. An [[autopsy]] was performed because authorities found a note near the body and were investigating it as a possible suicide.<ref name=espn/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2016/12/06/rashaan-salaam-dead-heisman-trophy-winner-university-of-colorado/95054912/|title=Rashaan Salaam, former Heisman winner and NFL first rounder, found dead in park|website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref> Several weeks later on December 29, it was confirmed that the manner of death was suicide, specifically a gunshot wound to the head, in a report released by the [[Boulder County]] coroner's office.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18370902/autopsy-shows-former-chicago-bears-colorado-buffaloes-rb-rashaan-salaam-shot-head | title = Former Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam's death ruled a suicide | work = ESPN | date = December 29, 2016 | access-date = December 29, 2016}}</ref> Salaam's [[blood-alcohol content]] was reportedly three times the legal driving limit and he had [[THC]] in his system.<ref>{{cite web | title = Autopsy says former CU star Rashaan Salaam shot himself in the head | work = The Denver Post | url = http://www.denverpost.com/2016/12/29/rashaan-salaam-suicide-autopsy/ | date = December 29, 2016 | access-date = December 29, 2016}}</ref><ref name="si2019"/>

Salaam's family did not consent to neuropathological tests that would have revealed whether he had previously sustained chronic head trauma, such as [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]]. They declined<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-11 |title=Inside the troubled life and death of 1994 Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28256851/1994-heisman-trophy-winner-rashaan-salaam-burden-carry |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> to have his brain tested to determine whether his [[Depression (mood)|depression]]<ref name="si2019"/> had been linked to such injuries from his days as a player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/sports/rashaan-salaam-brain-trauma.html?_r=0 |title=Rashaan Salaam's Family Declines to Test His Brain for Trauma |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date = December 31, 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of Heisman Trophy winners]]
* [[List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders]]
* [[List of NCAA major college football yearly scoring leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Heisman|rashaan-salaam}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=rashaan-salaam |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=S/SalaRa00 |rotoworld= }}


{{Heisman Winners}}
{{Heisman Winners}}
{{Walter Camp Award}}
{{Walter Camp Award}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}{{Chic Harley Award}}
{{Sporting News College Football Player of the Year}}
{{Doak Walker Award winners}}
{{Doak Walker Award winners}}
{{1994 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Jim Brown Award}}
{{1995 NFL Draft}}
{{1995 NFL Draft}}
{{BearsFirstPick}}
{{Bears1995DraftPicks}}
{{Bears1995DraftPicks}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Salaam, Rashaan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salaam, Rashaan}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:living people]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:People from San Diego, California]]
[[Category:African-American Muslims]]
[[Category:Muslims from California]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:Colorado Buffaloes football players]]
[[Category:University of Colorado at Boulder alumni]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns players]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Colorado Buffaloes football players]]
[[Category:Heisman Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Memphis Maniax players]]
[[Category:Memphis Maniax players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from San Diego]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from San Diego]]
[[Category:Suicides by firearm in Colorado]]
[[Category:2016 suicides]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Brian Piccolo Award winners]]
[[Category:Walter Camp Award winners]]
[[Category:Sportspeople who died by suicide]]

Latest revision as of 04:51, 15 December 2024

Rashaan Salaam
refer to caption
With the Heisman Trophy in 1994
No. 31, 29
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1974-10-08)October 8, 1974
San Diego, California, U.S.
Died:December 5, 2016(2016-12-05) (aged 42)
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:La Jolla Country Day (San Diego)
College:Colorado (1992–1994)
NFL draft:1995 / round: 1 / pick: 21
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,684
Rushing average:3.6
Rushing touchdowns:13
Receptions:16
Receiving yards:120
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
College Football Hall of Fame

Rashaan Iman Salaam (October 8, 1974 – December 5, 2016) was an American professional football running back who played for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s. Salaam played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and won the Heisman Trophy in 1994. He was picked by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Bears and the Cleveland Browns. Salaam died by suicide on December 5, 2016.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Born in San Diego, California,[2] Salaam was the son of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Teddy Washington (later Sulton Salaam, after converting to Islam).[3] A practicing Muslim,[4] he attended La Jolla Country Day School in suburban San Diego,[5] and played eight-man football. Salaam ran for over 100 yards in every game except against Christian High of El Cajon, coached by Dale Peterson. He was recognized as a high school All-American, and was later inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame.[6]

College career

[edit]

Salaam attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he played for the Buffaloes from 1992 to 1994. As a junior in 1994, Salaam had one of the best individual seasons in college football history, rushing for a school-record 2,055 yards and becoming only the fourth college running back to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He also amassed 24 touchdowns and helped lead Colorado to an 11–1 record, including a 41–24 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and a No. 3 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. The Buffaloes' only loss of the season was to Big Eight Conference rival Nebraska, which finished undefeated and ranked first in both major polls as national champions.

Salaam had four consecutive 200-yard rushing games during the season, his best effort coming against the Texas Longhorns, when he set a school record with 362 yards total offense in a 34–31 win at Austin. He was a unanimous All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy in December, beating out running back Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State and quarterbacks Steve McNair of Alcorn State and Kerry Collins of Penn State.[7] Salaam also won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards.[8][9][1]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 0+7⁄8 in
(1.85 m) 		228 lb
(103 kg) 		32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10]

The Chicago Bears selected Salaam in the first round, with the 21st overall selection, of the 1995 NFL draft.[11][12] He played for the Bears from 1995 to 1997.[2] As a rookie, he rushed for 1,074 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.[11][13] However, he also lost 9 fumbles and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Problems with injuries, fumbles, and marijuana use[14] led him to spend only three years with the Bears. During his two final years with Chicago, Salaam mustered only 608 combined yards.[15] The Bears traded Salaam to the Miami Dolphins before the 1998 season, but it was undone when Salaam failed a physical examination.[16][1] Salaam spent 1999 with the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers, but only played in two games for the Browns that year.[13]

Salaam briefly played in the XFL for the Memphis Maniax in 2001,[17] but injury cut his season short and the league folded after one season. He finished the year with 528 yards gained.[18]

Salaam launched what appeared to be a final attempt at an NFL career in 2002, beginning with a much publicized training at the Cris Carter Speed School.[19] He was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers in 2003, but was released in the penultimate round of cuts in August, despite receiving accolades from head coach Dennis Erickson.[20]

Salaam was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on February 20, 2004, but was suspended by the Argos in May, ending his football career.[21]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1995 CHI 16 11 296 1,074 3.6 42 10 7 56 8.0 18 0
1996 CHI 12 6 143 496 3.5 32 3 7 44 6.3 11 1
1997 CHI 3 3 31 112 3.6 17 0 2 20 10.0 18 0
1999 CLE 2 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Career 33 20 471 1,684 3.6 42 13 16 120 7.5 18 1

Death

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On December 5, 2016, 42-year-old Salaam was found dead in a city park (Eben G. Fine) in Boulder, Colorado. An autopsy was performed because authorities found a note near the body and were investigating it as a possible suicide.[21][22] Several weeks later on December 29, it was confirmed that the manner of death was suicide, specifically a gunshot wound to the head, in a report released by the Boulder County coroner's office.[23] Salaam's blood-alcohol content was reportedly three times the legal driving limit and he had THC in his system.[24][1]

Salaam's family did not consent to neuropathological tests that would have revealed whether he had previously sustained chronic head trauma, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. They declined[25] to have his brain tested to determine whether his depression[1] had been linked to such injuries from his days as a player.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rohan, Tim (December 10, 2019). "Death of a Heisman Winner: The Fall of Rashaan Salaam". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  2. ^ a b National Football League, Historical Players, Rashaan Salaam, Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  3. ^ Smith, Timothy (June 18, 1995). "PRO FOOTBALL: NOTEBOOK; Dad-Son Duos Run Up the Score". Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Chicago Tribune, "Dodging Doubt Like Tacklers," Chicago Tribune (April 30, 1995). Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  5. ^ databaseFootball.com, Players, Rashaan Salaam Archived January 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  6. ^ City News Service, "La Jolla Country Day grad Rashaan Salaam tops list of 50 best San Diego football players Archived August 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine," La Jolla Light (November 29, 2010). Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "Former Bear Rashaan Salaam Sells Off Heisman Ring," CBS Chicago (August 10, 2011). Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  8. ^ "Salaam wins award". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. November 30, 1994. p. 5C. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  9. ^ Howell, Brian (June 1, 2016). "Former CU Buffs Bieniemy, Salaam on College Football Hall of Fame ballot". Longmont Times Call. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  10. ^ "Rashaan Salaam, Combine Results, RB - Colorado". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Catching up with former Chicago Bear Rashaan Salaam". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  12. ^ Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, 1995 National Football League Draft Archived June 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, Rashaan Salaam. He was also UPI NFC Rookie of the year.Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  14. ^ "Catching up with former Chicago Bear Rashaan Salaam". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  15. ^ Russell, Dalton (November 28, 2013). "Chicago Bears: Top Five Turkeys in Franchise History". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  16. ^ "Miami pulls out on trade with Bears". The Daily News. Associated Press. April 25, 1998. p. 3B. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  17. ^ Wiederer, Dan (December 7, 2016). "Former Bear Rashaan Salaam found dead at 42". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  18. ^ "Memphis Maniax Roster: Rashaan Salaam". Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  19. ^ "Future In The Past". Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  20. ^ "49ers release Salaam". Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "'94 Heisman winner Salaam dead at age 42". December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  22. ^ "Rashaan Salaam, former Heisman winner and NFL first rounder, found dead in park". USA Today.
  23. ^ "Former Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam's death ruled a suicide". ESPN. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  24. ^ "Autopsy says former CU star Rashaan Salaam shot himself in the head". The Denver Post. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  25. ^ "Inside the troubled life and death of 1994 Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam". ESPN.com. December 11, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  26. ^ "Rashaan Salaam's Family Declines to Test His Brain for Trauma". The New York Times. December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
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