Former NFL running back Marion Barber III — who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears — has passed away.
The news was reported by Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber was found dead in his apartment by Frisco police on Wednesday, per multiple sources,” Hill reported. “The cause of his death is unknown.”
Before his NFL career, Barber played at the University of Minnesota. He left an impression everywhere he went. Following the news of his death, football fans and others in the NFL world reached out to pay tribute to Barber.
RIP Marion Barber https://t.co/RibyUQiPRd
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) June 1, 2022
Dam man…Sad news, Barber was one of my favorite players to watch in football in his prime. Rest easy https://t.co/jkCEM5P5Rj
— Skywalker Steele (@SkywalkerSteele) June 1, 2022
Damn. Legendary Gophers running back. RIP. https://t.co/sBBmcfYlKt
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) June 1, 2022
So young. What a powerful runner this guy was. Won’t forget Barber and Maroney at Minnesota. RIP. https://t.co/XvyjDIBZqM
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) June 1, 2022
Oh no. RIP Marion, https://t.co/8p9MRkluOf
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) June 1, 2022
Really sad news 🙁
RIP Marion https://t.co/MxcYAVYJ3y
— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) June 1, 2022
I was going into senior year of HS. My buddies and I drove to a Minnesota FB camp, hoping to get recruited. I see a young coach and I say hi. “Hah. I’m in high school. I’m Marion Barber.” We had so much fun that week in Minneapolis. We were all brothers and he was so humble. RIP. https://t.co/g4jQqEkfb1
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) June 1, 2022
Barber was a fourth-round pick for the Cowboys in 2005 and played played in Dallas from 2005-2010. His best season came in 2007 when he rushed for a career high 975 yards and added 10 touchdowns. He made his only Pro Bowl that season. Barber was then released by the Cowboys in July of 2011 and signed with the Bears. He played in Chicago for the 2011 season and retired after that season. Barber finished his career with 4,780 career rushing yards and 53 touchdowns on the ground.
Barber was 38 at the time of his passing. His 39th birthday would have been on June 10.
[Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Clarence Hill Jr.]
