Former NFL and Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes died from liver disease on Monday. He was 33-years-old.
Before his death, Hayes was in hospice care at his mother’s home in Valdosta, Georgia. He was diagnosed with liver disease two years ago and was waiting for a transplant. He received his diagnosis after he suddenly dropped from 220 pounds to 150 pounds.
He previously told ESPN that he believes his use of over-the-counter pain medications while playing in the NFL and his family’s history of liver disease lead to his liver failure.
Despite being hospitalized over 20 times over the last year, he was hopeful that he would receive a transplant. In December, he had been placed on a waiting list at the Mayo Clinic and Northwestern Medicine.
Hayes kept his diagnosis relatively private, except for family and friends. He only began to talk about it toward the end of his life in hopes that he could help someone “going through something similar.”
“I wanted more to know but didn’t want to be a burden,” Hayes said.
Hayes was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the 2008 NFL draft, where he played until 2011. He then played with the Chicago Bears in 2012, and he last played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014.
Before Hayes played in the NFL, Smith played at Florida State. During his time there, he was named an All-American.
Hayes leaves behind his wife, Shevelle, and their two children Gemarii, 13, and Skyler, 8.
