GREELEY, Colorado - Former Northern Colorado running
back Adam Matthews died early Thursday morning, the school
announced. He was 25.
A school spokesman said Matthews, who stands second on the
Bears' career rushing list with 3,325 yards, suffered a seizure.
"This is a terrible, terrible tragedy," Bears running backs
coach Keith Grable said. "I feel sad for his family, friends,
teammates and everyone who knew him because he touched a lot of
hearts. He was a great person who always had fun and loved the
game. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Matthews had 19 career 100-yard games with the Bears, tying an
NCAA record with 11 straight in 2003. He also holds school
records for rushing yards in a game (279) and season (1,653) and
shares the program mark with wide receiver Vincent Jackson for
single-season touchdowns (21), which they set in 2003.
A son of former NFL player Bo Matthews and the older brother of
Northern Colorado junior linebacker Asa Matthews, he spent time
with the NFL's St. Louis Rams and Houston Texans and the Hamburg
Sea Devils of NFL Europe after leaving the Bears.
It was the latest piece of bad news for the Bears. Former
punter Mitchell Cozad was charged with attempted first-degree
murder last month after allegedly stabbing starter Rafael
Mendoza in his kicking leg in September.