Former NFL running back Marion Barber, who spent much of his professional career playing for the Dallas Cowboys, died of a heat stroke last month, police confirmed on Monday.
In a statement, police in the Dallas suburb of Frisco said the Collin County medical examiner had ruled the 38-year-old’s death an accident.
Barber, described by the Cowboys as one of the fiercest running backs to have ever played for the team, was found dead by police on June 1 after they conducted a wellness check at a Frisco apartment leased by the former star.
According to the documents, police found the body of Barber with the thermostat set at 91 degrees and the heat set to “on.”
Medical examiners said they didn’t find evidence of trauma or drug overdose inside Barber’s body, and “no clear evidence of natural disease” was found either.
“Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down,” the team said. “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.”
Barber played six seasons of his 8-year career with the Cowboys, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his “hard-nosed running style,” which helped him earn the nickname “Marion the Barbarian.”
Barber was drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft out of the University of Minnesota. After playing six years for the Cowboys, he was released following the 2010 season and spent one year with the Chicago Bears.
The former Minnesota player was third on Dallas’ career list for rushing touchdowns before getting passed in 2021 by two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott. Barber finished with 53 overall and never had fewer than four in any of his seven seasons, even though he never had a 1,000-yard rushing season.
He finished his career with 4,780 yards and 53 touchdowns on 1,156 carries in 99 games. He also caught 179 passes for 1,330 yards and six touchdowns.
Barber’s father, Marion Barber Jr., played seven seasons with the New York Jets in the 1980s. They both played for Minnesota’s Golden Gophers, and the younger Barber is second on the school’s career list with 35 rushing touchdowns.
Barber’s younger brothers, Dom and Thomas Barber, also played for the Golden Gophers. Dom later spent four years as a defensive back with the Houston Texans.
