Marion Barber III, a former NFL star running back for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, died of heat stroke in June, officials revealed Monday. Frisco, Texas, police said the Collin County medical examiner ruled the 38-year-old’s death an accident.
Barber was found dead last month after police were called to make a welfare check at a Frisco apartment. According to TMZ Sports, officials said the thermostat in his apartment was set at 91 degrees, and the heat was set to “on.”
Investigators noted Barber had a history of working out in “sauna-like conditions.” Police said there was no evidence of trauma or a drug overdose.
Dez Bryant, who played with Barber for one season in Dallas, took to Twitter to react to the heartbreaking news.
Barber was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cowboys in 2005. He was named to a Pro Bowl in 2007 after recording 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He would join the Bears in 2011 but called it a career soon after that season.
In 99 career games, he recorded 4,780 yards on the ground and scored 53 touchdowns.