In memoriam: Rashaan Salaam, 1974 – 2016

It is with great sadness that the Heisman Trophy Trust mourns the loss of 1994 Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam of the University of Colorado.

Salaam passed away on Dec. 5, 2016. He was 42.

“The Heisman Trophy Trust is saddened to learn of the passing of Rashaan Salaam, our 1994 Heisman Winner from the University of Colorado” said Bill Dockery, Heisman Trust President. “Rashaan was a valued member of the Heisman family. The Heisman Trust offers its sincere condolences to Rashaan’s family.”

“We are shocked and saddened by this tragic news,” said Heisman Memorial Trophy executive director Rob Whalen. “Rashaan will always be remembered with a smile and a laugh. His easy going personality is already missed by all of us who knew and loved him. It’s a very sad day for the Heisman family.”

Salaam, a running back from San Diego, Calif., won Colorado’s first Heisman in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging a remarkable 7.61 yards per carry. He was the fourth player in Division One history to rush for over 2,000 yards, joining fellow Heisman winners Marcus Allen, Mike Rozier and Barry Sanders.

Salaam helped guide the Buffaloes to a 10-1 regular season record and a No. 4 ranking and later won the Heisman handily over second-place Ki-Jana Carter of Penn State. He went on to become a first round draft pick (21st overall) of the Chicago Bears and enjoyed a seven year career in the NFL, XFL and CFL. He was the youngest player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards when he gained 1,074 yards as a 21-year-old rookie for the Bears.