Former teammates are tweeting about former Michigan State Spartan Charles Rogers, saying that he has died at the age of 38.
Free Press MSU reporter Chris Solari confirmed the news Monday morning.
Can confirm: Former MSU and Lions WR Charles Rogers has died. The Saginaw native was 38 years old.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari)
November 11, 2019 Devastated to learn of the passing of my spartan brother Charles Rodgers. Spoke with his mom this morning. Please pray for her and his children. Please also be respectful of their privacy at this difficult time. Rip Chuck --
— Chris Baker (@Toten86)
November 11, 2019 His life in snippets: In just two seasons, Rogers hauled in 135 passes for 2,821 yards and a school record 27 touchdowns. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. He signed a $39.5 million contract with the Detroit Lions, which included a $14.4 million signing bonus.
Then the spiral.
Two broken collarbones in his first two seasons with the Lions, a pain-killer addiction, failed drug tests and an NFL suspensions for marijuana use left him one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
Fifteen years later, he was working at Uptown Motors, an auto repair shop off Palm Beach Boulevard in northeast Fort Myers, Florida.
Two of his former coaches, Mark Dantonio and Ken Mannie, greeted him with a hug.
“It was a beautiful thing,”
Rogers said, wiping away a tear. “It took so much off my shoulders, man. The joy I felt to see everybody, and no one throwing judgment on you was like I never left. I was just touched. I was in tears, man. I was really crying. Just the shit I have been through, I didn’t know how they would respond to me.”
“They said, 'MSU is your home. You are always welcome.'”
STATEMENT FROM THE DETROIT LIONS
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles Rogers. From Saginaw, to East Lansing, to Detroit, Charles’ connection to the state of Michigan and its football community was felt by many during the course of his life. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
