Rashaan Salaam, who played in the National Football League for four seasons and won the Heisman Trophy, had an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million at the time of his passing.
Rashaan Salaam, born on October 8, 1974, was a professional football running back who spent four seasons in the NFL during the 1990s.
Additionally, Salaam was born in San Diego, California, and was the son of Teddy Washington, a former running back for the Cincinnati Bengals.
After converting to Islam, his father changed his name to Sulton Salaam and gave his son a new name.
He played eight-man football while attending La Jolla Country Day School in the San Diego suburbs and was a devout Muslim.
While playing collegiate football for the Colorado Buffaloes, Salaam became the first Colorado player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1994.
Additionally, until Travis Hunter, a Colorado player, won the trophy this year, Salaam was the only player from Colorado to win the Heisman Trophy.
He played professionally for the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns after the Bears selected him in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft.
Regretfully, Rashaan Salaam murdered himself in 2016 by shooting himself in the head at the age of 42.
Former Heisman trophy winner Rashaan Salaam dies at age 42 https://t.co/KDEW373iHI pic.twitter.com/d0f3Nv2Nf3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2016
After His Death, the University of Colorado Retired Rashaan Salaam’s Number 19 Jersey
Salaam played for the University of Colorado in Boulder before joining the Buffaloes in 1992–1994.
Rashaan Salaam’s time at the University of Colorado was truly remarkable.
In the 1994 season, Salaam became the fourth player in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season with an incredible 2,055 yards.
Moreover, Salaam’s accomplishment was noteworthy due to his exceptional skill on the field as well as the numbers.
Amazingly, he finished the season with 2,349 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the country in both rushing yards and touchdowns.
Salaam cemented his reputation in college football history when he received the Heisman Trophy for his exceptional performance.
Due to his outstanding season and Heisman Award win, Salaam became a national celebrity and a highly sought-after NFL prospect.
In addition to breaking numerous records and taking home the most prestigious college football award, Salaam also received the Walter Camp and Doak Walker honors.
The University of Colorado retired his number 19 jersey after he passed away, and people still admire his academic accomplishments today.
Rashaan Salaam Signed a Four-Year Contract With the Bears Worth $3,820,000, Adding to His Net Worth
Rashaan Salaam had great expectations for a prosperous NFL career when he was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1995.
He reportedly signed a four-year, $3,820,000 contract with the Chicago Bears in 1995, which was a large sum.
In addition, Salaam’s contract with the Bears included a signing bonus of $1,820,000 and an average salary of $955,000 per year.
He had a promising rookie season, but his professional career never reached the heights many had anticipated based on his success in college.
Despite his early potential, Salaam was inconsistent in the NFL and frequently involved in scandals.
Following a failed NFL try, Salaam signed a contract with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 2004, but the Argos’ suspension ended his football career.
He amassed most of this wealth during his NFL career, including deals with the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears.
Additionally, Salaam made money from various endorsement deals, especially those related to his legacy in college football.
At the time of his passing, Rashaan Salaam’s estimated net worth was more than $1 million, based on his endorsement deals and salary contract.
Even though his NFL career was shorter and less prosperous than some of his contemporaries, he was still well-known in sports circles long after he retired. Â
Additional Information
- The 1994 Heisman Trophy that Rashaan Salaam received sold for $399,608 in January 2018.
- He was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame after being named an All-American in high school.
- Prior to the 1998 season, the Bears traded Salaam to the Miami Dolphins; however, the trade was revoked after Salaam failed a physical.
