Former Cowboys and Bears running back Marion Barber was found dead in his apartment on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas. The retired Pro Bowler was 38.
The NFL family lost a member on Wednesday after police discovered former running back Marion Barber dead in his apartment, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
No cause of death has been released for Barber. Police were reportedly conducting a welfare check when he was found.
Barber played six seasons with the Cowboys, who selected him out of Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, and one with the Bears before retiring in 2012.
Former Cowboys, Bears RB Marion Barber found dead in apartment
A bruising runner who punished opposing defenses, Barber scored 14 touchdowns in 2006 before rushing for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2007. He was named to the Pro Bowl that season and built a reputation as a dangerous goal line threat.
In all, Barber rushed for 4,358 yards and 47 touchdowns during his Dallas career. He had six more touchdowns as a receiver out of the backfield.
Barber signed with the Bears in 2011 and had 422 yards and six touchdowns. He retired at 28 years old.
Unfortunately, Barber had a rough time after his football days were over. He had several run-ins with police including one ending in a mental health evaluation.
Dez Bryant highlighted Barber’s downhill spiral in a tweet from 2021 saying, “I can’t even enjoy [his highlights] because he’s down and out bad.”
Bryant called players “just a stat and moments to most people.” Sadly, it often takes a tragedy to remind fans that the men beneath the pads are humans who face their own deep struggles.
Barber is gone but hopefully the NFL and society at large become more motivated to give players the resources they need to stay healthy and happy in their post-football lives.