Shelley Martin, Girlfriend of Rashaan Salaam, Still Feels the Profound Pain of His Loss Eight Years On

Eight years after the demise of renowned running back Rashaan Salaam, his girlfriend Shelley Martin continues to cherish his memories and endure the pain of his loss.

Rashaan Iman Salaam was an American professional football running back with a short-lived NFL career spanning four seasons.

Born in San Diego, California, the former athlete played collegiate-level football for the Colorado Buffaloes.

In 1994, he won the Heisman Trophy, a testament to his relentless hard work and exceptional on-field skills.

Travis Hunter joins Rashaan Salaam as Colorado only Heisman Trophy Winners 🦬

Rip Rashaan Salaam ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LSgQuL6MKx

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) December 15, 2024

Later, Salaam was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft and played professionally for the Bears and the Cleveland Browns.

Unfortunately, on December 5, 2016, Rashaan Salaam took his own life, leaving behind a profound and lasting impact on his fans and loved ones.

Recently, Rashaan Salaam was honored on the 30th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy win, which coincided with Travis Hunter becoming the program’s second-ever Heisman winner.

Rashaan Salaam and His Girlfriend Met as Students and Developed a Deep, Loving Relationship Until His Passing

According to USA Today, the couple first met two decades ago during their university years, specifically at CU’s dormitory.

After losing contact for several years, they reconnected in 2014, marking the beginning of a new bond that eventually evolved into a romantic relationship.

According to Martin, Salaam shared a deep bond with her two daughters, whom he affectionately referred to as ‘cubbies’.

Furthermore, Salaam exhibited a protective nature, often staying on the phone with Martin throughout her public transportation journeys.

Martin recalled his caring nature, saying,

He would have me call him as soon as I got in the house. He would have me check in from top to bottom. He was a protector.

Likewise, he openly expressed his affection for Martin by frequently sending flowers to her workplace.

Additionally, Rashaan Salaam actively raised Martin’s two daughters and loved attending their middle school volleyball games.

Shelley Martin further reflected on Salaam’s character, stating,

Every night, he would drop us off. He would thank me, and it was like he had tears in his eyes, like it was an honor for him to be a participant. A middle school volleyball game. That’s just how beautiful he was and still is.

Hence, Martin referred to him as ‘Papa Bear,’ a nickname well-suited for his caring and protective nature.

Shelley Martin Offered Unwavering Support to Rashaan Salaam During His Time of Struggle

Despite the tragic end to their love story, Shelley Martin stood by Rashaan Salaam’s side until his passing.

The duo started dating two years before Rashaan Salaam’s passing; however, Martin remained a constant source of support for him during his struggles.

She reminisces that he would often call her at work and say ‘Shelley can you come?‘, as she yearned for Martin’s help.

Moreover, she witnessed his extreme physical pain, which included headaches, dehydration, and vomiting, often leading him to rush to the emergency room.

During this time, Martin cared for him at his bedside, providing him with ibuprofen and jugs of water.

On December 5, Salaam decided to end his prolonged pain and drove Martin’s car to a park in Boulder for his final act, leaving a deep wound in the hearts of his loved ones.

Shelley Martin had planned to get her master’s degree in health administration by May 2017, but she took the semester off to grieve.

In addition, she also planned to launch a suicide prevention website to help and provide resources to those in need.