Marion Barber III, Former Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears Running Back, Succumbs to Heat Stroke, Officials Report

FRISCO, Texas — Authorities revealed on Monday that Marion Barber III, a former running back for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, passed away due to heat stroke.

The police in Frisco, a Dallas suburb, issued a statement confirming that the Collin County medical examiner classified Barber’s death as accidental.

While a police spokesperson did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the 38-year-old’s demise, there was no immediate response from the medical examiner’s office to inquiries from The Associated Press.

During a welfare check on June 1, police discovered Barber’s lifeless body at a Frisco apartment that he was reportedly leasing.

Originally a fourth-round draft pick by Dallas in 2005, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher spent six seasons with the Cowboys. Despite starting only one game in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Barber managed to score 24 combined touchdowns. His notable achievements included rushing for 654 yards and a career-high 14 TDs in 2006.

In 2007, Barber reached a career peak with 975 yards rushing and 10 TDs, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl. However, his role and productivity gradually declined, culminating in career lows in carries, yards, and touchdowns during his final year with Dallas in 2010. Barber concluded his professional career with a final season playing for the Chicago Bears in 2011.