What They Are Saying: Teammates, Coaches Remember Rashaan Salaam
December 06, 2016 | Football
BOULDER — What former teammates, coaches and associates of late CU great Rashaan Salaam are saying about the Heisman Trophy winner:
Former head coach Bill McCartney (1982-1994) — "Rashaan was a national recruit. He projected to be a tremendous can't-miss player coming out of high school. He was big and strong, fast and tough, and was very gifted, very athletic and very competitive. I remember when we officially signed him, we had a lot of high fives around the coaching staff offices because we knew this kid was really special.
"He was very coachable. He had a happy heart. I loved being around him. He didn't take himself too seriously and he always credited those around him, especially his offensive line. What I liked about him is that he had a sparkle in his eye. He was upbeat and positive."
Former athletic director Bill Marolt (1984-96) — "That was a special time for CU football and CU athletics, and Rashaan was obviously a big part of it all. I always look back at that time with great fondness — and now, today, with great sadness.
"He had it all. He was a great athlete and a great kid. He was somebody who made CU athletics look good in every way. One of my most treasured items is a photo of me and Rashaan in full uniform just after he'd won the Heisman. I look at it often and smile. He is someone we will miss, no doubt. When you think of all the big moments — the big games, the bowl games, the Heisman — there's no question he played a big role in helping put us on the national scene. We were one of the top five football programs in America at the time, and he was part of that. A wonderful young man who always had a smile."
CU Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano — "This is a sad day for the entire university community as we mourn Rashaan's death. Rashaan will be remembered as one of the greatest football players to ever wear a Buffs uniform, and his 1994 Heisman Trophy brought great prestige and honor to the university. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
Current CU athletic director Rick George — "The Buff Family has lost an outstanding young man and a great Buff today. We are heartbroken for Rashaan and his family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time."
Teammate and current Denver Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell — "Rashaan was as dynamic off the field as he was on the field as a player. He was a fiercely loyal friend, someone who was always in your corner and had your back. He was the ultimate teammate and supportive of everyone in his locker room. If there was ever a guy who was going to get a personal foul for protecting someone on his team, Rashaan was that guy.
"Rashaan was the ultimate Buffalo and was so proud to be called a 'Colorado Buffalo.' We were part of the same recruiting class, what we called 'nine deuce,' the Class of 1992. On the field, Rashaan was the definition of a winner. It was important to him. He practiced hard, he played hard and he made our teams better. Rashaan and I laughed a lot after practices because we had so many battles and fights. Even when we last saw each other a few years ago at the CU Hall of Fame induction, we still shared those great memories and had a lot of laughs from our time together at Colorado.
"My heart goes out to Rashaan's mother and his family. They have a lot to be proud of with the person that Rashaan was, the way he treated people and the friend he was to everyone he came across. He will be missed by so many, and I extend my deepest sympathies to Rashaan's many friends and family."
CU alum and ESPN analyst Chris Fowler (hosted 1994 Heisman ceremony) — "Like all Buffs everywhere, I am filled with sadness at the news of Rashaan's passing. The night in December 1994 when Rashaan was presented the Heisman Trophy is certainly one of CU's finest moments ever. He was a deeply proud and loyal Buff and Heisman fraternity brother. Being there to share in his joy as the host of that program for the very first time will always remain a cherished memory. I will miss those hugs and his big smiles. And I will always think of Rashaan, dressed in black and gold, charging down the sideline on the way to his 2,000 yards."
David Plati, SID (1984-present; managed Heisman campaign) — "I am speechless. I've stayed in constant touch with Rashaan since he left CU. You develop a special bond with players you escort to the Heisman ceremonies – Darian Hagan, Eric Bieniemy, Rashaan. It's hard to explain but when you go through that weekend of events, your relationship with them is taken up a notch. We're minus one true Buffalo today."
Former CU player and coach Jon Embree — "He was a tremendous competitor, a great teammate and he will be sorely missed. He loved the Buffs."
Teammate Kordell Stewart — "This is a tough one. He was our jewel. He did it on a level that no one else did. We all have stories we tell about one another. We competed every week to see who would have the most rushing yards in the first half. He was my guy in the backfield, my baby brother. He never wanted to be celebrated, he just wanted to play football. He just wanted to be one of the guys. A big kid playing a child's game, and he won the biggest prize there is. We persevered together. Every time I saw him, he always said, 'I love you.' Football wasn't who he was, it was just what he did. He didn't care about his accomplishments, he cared about the people around him. It was a pleasure and a joy for both us to play behind our offensive line, but even more so to have a running back like Rashaan behind me."
Teammate Shannon Clavelle — "It was all genuine love between us, we all had it for each other. We went to Colorado to win, and that's what we did. We all bonded together, it was all love. That's why he won the Heisman. My words can't explain the type of man he was, you had to see it with your own eyes to see what kind of person he was."
Teammate TJ Cunningham — "He was one of the best godfathers I have for my kids. He was more than a joy to have over for the holidays, fish fries. A guy you always wanted in your corner. Coach McCartney made sure that we formed a relationship together."
Former CU assistant coach Brian Cabral (recruited Salaam to CU) — "It's heartbreaking to hear the news of Rashaan. My heart goes out to his family, teammates and the entire Buff Family. He had the heart of a Buffalo, a great team player and an unforgettable smile.
"I will never forget asking Coach McCartney to watch a recruit from 8-man football that running back coach Ben Gregory and I watched and liked. He couldn't believe that we were asking him to watch 8-man football. He watched it, agreed with us and the rest was history. We were going to redshirt him as a freshman until we yelled for someone to run out there on a kickoff and the next thing we saw was Rashaan running down on kickoff.
"This is a great loss to the lives he had touched."
The CU Athletic Department will open CU's Football Legacy Hall in the Champions Center on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to stop by and pay respects to Buffs legend Salaam and the Heisman Trophy. Paid public parking is available on Level 1 of the parking garage at the corner of Stadium Drive and Folsom Street. Visitors may gain access to Legacy Hall through the lobby adjacent to the CU ticket office and Team Store.
We encourage you to share your favorite story or memory about Rashaan on our Facebook page.