(Photo : Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Authorities have ruled that former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III died of heatstroke.
Authorities have ruled that former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III died of heatstroke.
USA Today obtained an autopsy report of Marion Barber's cause of death from the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday, ruling that Barber's death was an accident.
According to a report, a Frisco police spokesman said Monday that Barber's cause of death accidentally was heatstroke. Fox News reported that police found no evidence of trauma or a drug overdose.
Authorities found the body of the 38-year-old in a Dallas apartment on June 1.
Barber Worked Out in 'Sauna-Like Conditions'
Officers were summoned to the site after another resident of the apartment complex complained that Barber's unit was leaking water, per an incident report made public by the Frisco Police Department. Apartment personnel could not contact Marion Barber, and his unit was locked from the inside.
The autopsy report stated that officers discovered workout equipment in Barber's apartment, which had a thermostat set to 91 degrees with the heat on when they arrived, and one of the bathroom faucets was flowing.
The coroner wrote in his autopsy report that Marion Barber "was known to exercise in sauna-like conditions."
In the incident report, the police noted that Barber's relatives had not heard from him six days before his body was found. Moreover, they mentioned that Barber had "a history of medical problems and mental health concerns."
Billy Clark, a friend of Marion Barber III and a lawyer, had told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that Barber was in fantastic form and had been training to become a boxer.
According to a report from NBC News, the medical examiner's office has not provided further information and did not reply to requests for comment Monday evening.
Cowboys Pay Tribute to Barber
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Cowboys said they were heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III," confirming his death.
The statement added: "Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win on every down."
After excelling at Minnesota, Marion Barber was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. In 2007, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl after recording 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He would sign up with the Chicago Bears in 2011 but decided to retire the following year.
"Marion the Barbarian" ran for 4,780 yards and 53 touchdowns throughout his 99 career games. Six more touchdowns came from his receiving.
Last month former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told USA Today that Marion Barber had "so many" great plays.
"I can remember just countless runs where he would keep the play alive. Say it's a sweep to one side and you get hit and there's nothing there and you'd be like 'go down deep, reverse the field.' Six guys would tackle him, he'd shake them off. It was incredible," said coach Garrett.
"He always sought out contact. He always delivered the blow. His style of play was infectious," he added.
Marion's teammate Greg Ellis stated by text: "I forever will love and miss him. He epitomized what it means to be humble."
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