Former Cowboys and Bears running back Marion Barber III was found dead Wednesday in his Frisco apartment, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He was 38.
Frisco police responded to a welfare check at Barber’s apartment when someone called about a water leak. Upon arriving, the police forced their way into the apartment. As of the time of this reporting, the cause of Barber’s death is unknown.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III,” the Cowboys said in a statement. “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.”
The Plymouth, Minnesota, native played in the NFL from 2005-2011. Barber was a fourth-round draft pick for the Cowboys out of the University of Minnesota where he played his last year as a Golden Gopher with his brother, former Texans safety Dominique Barber. In his final Minnesota season, Marion made college football history when he and former Patriots running back Laurence Maroney became the first teammates in Division I football to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
Barber would make that a habit, finding success in the NFL despite being officially designated as Julius Jones‘ backup. Barber found his role as a third-down and red zone running back in Dallas. He finished his sophomore season third in the league with 14 rushing touchdowns, trailing only LaDainian Tomlinson‘s record-setting 28 and Larry Johnson‘s 17. In 2007, Barber was named to the Pro Bowl, receiving an invite despite not making a single regular-season start.
Barber ran with an aggressive, punishing style, leading the league in broken tackles in 2007. His identity as a power back earned him the nickname “Marion the Barbarian,” as he embodied his oft-quoted mantra “hit or get hit.” Barber’s last season in the NFL saw him join the Bears to back up Matt Forte. After the Bears failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2011, Barber announced his retirement. He finished his career with 4,780 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns.
The headlines following Barber’s NFL career tell a sad story. Barber ran into legal issues in 2014 and 2018, Hill adds, with both instances serving as cautionary tales on mental health. Former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant tweeted almost a year ago lamenting the state of his former teammate saying he couldn’t even enjoy watching a video of Barber’s highlights know that Barber was “down and out bad.”
;(
Very sad
Life after football isn’t champagne wishes and caviar dreams for many players but the NFL doesn’t want anyone to focus on that.
Especially if you have CTE.
Unfortunately there might be some fans that don’t consider that either. I’m not saying everyone, but there are some that will say just give us our football. The players know what their signing up for.
There will always be someone else willing to take their spot.
RIP Mr. Barber.
But they get paid more money and are taken better care of then the veterans are. That is very sad… football players are after the money and veterans are fighting for everyone’s freedom!!!
Our freedom hasnt been threatened since WW2.
Wow, lemon, for a man’s cause of death that is still unknown, that’s a very broad, blanket, unsubstantiated statement. What does that even mean?
By your own logic, you’re giving the NFL credit for players being successful after football. When exactly do you think grown men should be held accountable for their own actions? The man was almost 40 and hadn’t played for 11 years. How long can you blame the NFL for former players’ deaths? Did you blame the NFL when Dwayne Haskins was killed? Come on, man.
My statement is self explanatory. I placed no blame for deaths but it’s a known fact that many retired players have been advocating for more help from the NFL for years. How much of the 5 billion dollars the league will receive from the Broncos sale will go to the retired veterans that struggle? A few crumbs is my guess.
RIP Marion The Bardarian
You will be missed
I wouldn’t stand in front of him on his way to Heaven
Just ask the Linebackers that played against him
Thank You For The Memories #24
dang
RIP.