“We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III,” the Cowboys stated in an announcement. “Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates. Our hearts go out to Marion’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Barber had a number of authorized points after his NFL profession resulted in 2011. In 2014, he was reportedly taken to a hospital by police for a psychological well being analysis after an incident in Mansfield, Tex. Last 12 months, former teammate Dez Bryant tweeted a message of despair over the way in which Barber’s life was “going right now” and added that the ex-back was “down and out bad.”
In April, Barber was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 60 hours of group service after he was charged with two counts of legal mischief following a 2018 incident by which he was accused of running into two vehicles, inflicting dents in them.
A fourth-round pick of Minnesota within the 2005 draft, Barber started to blossom in his second season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry for the Cowboys. In 2007, he performed so nicely that he was chosen for the Pro Bowl regardless of by no means beginning a recreation; whereas spelling Julius Jones that season, Barber racked up 1,257 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. He remained an efficient participant over the following two seasons earlier than his efficiency started to slide, and after being launched by the Cowboys in 2011 he spent a ultimate season with the Chicago Bears.
Barber was recognized for his hard-charging fashion, which made him tough to carry down on first contact however may have uncovered him to extra bodily punishment. On a legendary 2007 carry that gained simply two yards — however required roughly 60 yards of running by Barber — he shook off sort out makes an attempt by six New England Patriots defenders, together with 5 ultimately zone that will have brought about a security.
Marion Barber was the definition of a tenacious runner. He all the time made one thing out of nothing.
This was essentially the most unimaginable 2-yard run ever.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/NwFlgWLtxQ
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 1, 2022
The son of former New York Jets running again Marion Barber Jr., Barber additionally was the brother of former Houston Texans defensive again Dom Barber. Another brother, Thomas Barber, was a school linebacker at Minnesota, the place his siblings additionally performed, as did their father.
During his faculty profession, Marion Barber III climbed to 3rd in Golden Gophers historical past with 3,276 speeding yards. He and teammate Laurence Maroney, who grew to become a first-round choose by the Patriots, fashioned the primary pair of Minnesota backs to every rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Over his seven NFL seasons, Barber accrued 4,780 yards on the bottom with 53 touchdowns, and he added 1,330 yards and 6 touchdowns as a pass-catcher.
Barber is the fourth former NFL participant to have died at a comparatively younger age since December, when ex-wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was discovered useless at 33 at his Georgia residence. In April, 24-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed in a visitors accident in Florida, and 25-year-old Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney was killed in a automotive crash Monday in Dallas.