Carolina Panthers Former First-Round Draft Pick Rashard Anderson Has Died

The NFL is mourning the loss of former Carolina Panthers first-round pick Rashard Anderson.

Jackson State University, where Anderson played cornerback from 1996-1999, announced his death on Thursday. The 45-year-old was in the school’s Hall of Fame and was renowned as one of the best players ever to grace the JSU football program. In a statement, Jackson State Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson called Anderson an “outstanding person” who still had love for his alma mater.

“He attended our spring football game in April and was excited about the program returning to championship status,” Robinson wrote.

His standout college career landed Anderson a spot in the 2000 draft. The Carolina Panthers set their sights on him early and welcomed him to the team, drafting Anderson No. 23 overall. While his career got off to a promising start, Anderson’s time with the NFL was brief. He only played 27 games across two seasons and was suspended in 2002 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. After he was reinstated and released by the Panthers, no other team expressed interest in him.

Anderson’s cause of death has been made public.