According to WVTM13, former Alabama running back Ahmaad Galloway was found dead Monday at his St. Louis home.
Galloway, 42, was an eighth-grade English teacher at Compton-Drew Middle School in St. Louis, where the school’s principal, Susan Reid, said he was found deceased during a welfare check.
“Ahmaad was always on time, very responsible. So we knew something was wrong,” Reid told WVTM13. “Nothing was disturbed at Ahmaad’s apartment, so we think it may have been a medical issue.”
Ahmaad Galloway of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball September 30, 2000 against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Sporting News via Getty Images
Ahmaad Galloway with his children Austin and Aubrey. Facebook/Kim Slaughter
A cause of death for Galloway, who played for the Crimson Tide from 1999 to 2002 and finished for 1,830 yards and 17 touchdowns, has not been determined.
“The coroner is working to find out how Ahmaad died,” Reid said. “The family gathers from different parts of the country before deciding on funeral arrangements.”
Galloway served primarily as a backup for future NFL MVP Shaun Alexander during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft and sat out his rookie season while recovering from a knee injury sustained his senior year in Alabama.
Alabama running back Ahmaad Galloway runs with the ball as Tony White #51 tackles him during the Rose Bowl game September 2, 2000 in Pasadena, California. Getty Images
“When Ahmaad arrived in Bama he was humble but mature beyond his years,” Griff Redmill, former Crimson Tide offensive lineman, told WCTM13. “He was grown up and very upbeat – I knew right away that he was a person who could be my friend for life.”
Upon his return to the field, Galloway played in NFL Europe with the Scottish Claymores before spending a season with the San Diego Chargers. He last played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2005.
Galloway entered high school coaching in 2010. He leaves behind two children, Austin and Aubrey.
Ahmaad Galloway of the San Diego Chargers poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in San Diego, California. NFL via Getty Images
San Diego Chargers running back Ahmaad Galloway runs against the St. Louis Rams during a preseason game August 21, 2005 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Getty Images
“Ahmaad was always quiet and humble,” said Galloway’s sister, Kimberley Slaughter. “My brother loved football growing up and later loved his kids Austin and Aubrey.”
Reid said the door to Galloway’s classroom at school will remain closed out of respect, adding that students will be making signs and banners in his memory. Compton-Drew Middle School students receive counseling.