LOCAL FOOTBALL HERO RASHAAN SALAAM INSPIRES ME STILL
Rashaan Salaam is remembered for his La Jolla Country Day High School and University of Colorado exploits and for winning the 1994 Heisman Trophy. Thursday, he would have turned 46.
Sadly, it is another year for his family and others to remember him.
Many have memories of this San Diego native. Mine are as special. During his record-breaking coverage, I learned that he was the son of Khalada Salaam and Sultan Salaam (formerly Ted Washington of San Diego State University). I saw his father play, and I also knew his mother’s family as great San Diego athletes. I knew Khalada Salaam and her second husband, her son’s stepfather, Hakim Alaji. When rivals tried to stop their son’s career over a technicality, I helped the family find an attorney.
Next came the Heisman season. My son and I watched on TV as he went over 2,000 yards rushing. We watched him named the nation’s top college football player. Back in San Diego, I invited him to meet at the Skyline Park where he had played Pop Warner. We played catch, Rashaan Salaam gliding, running patterns and snagging the football. Towards the end he said, “You can throw!” and “Why did you want to come here today? Did you think I couldn’t catch?” I told him I had never seen him catch. Only seen him run past, over and around defenders. I wanted to make sure he could catch as a pro. I added, “Part is personal. I wanted to say that I once threw passes to the greatest college football player in our country.” I shared a few drills with him that would help him prepare to catch in the NFL. We laughed, hugged and went our way.
During his negotiations with the Chicago Bears, I stayed in touch. I advised Rashaan and Khalada Salaam to add media training, due to Chicago being a tough town.
I arranged for Rashaan Salaam, with his trophy, to speak at high school classes, to encourage youngsters to dream big. He said he enjoyed sharing his story to inspire others. I wish we had done more sessions. We discussed following Junior Seau’s foundation model. I encouraged this, because a football career could end on one play. I added that because of his image, Seau could never have a bad season.
In his rookie season, we watched Rashaan Salaam catch a short touchdown pass in a crowded end zone, and I thought, just maybe the catching drills played a role. He rushed for 1,000 yards that season, but he had tough Bears teammates, a tough media market and tough fans. He also followed Gayle Sayers and Walter Payton, both
Chicago sports gods. Then came his first injury.
When I ran into him and his mom, he looked great but mentioned he was having trouble contacting his agent. We joked about seeing the movie “Jerry Maguire.” I told him, “He clearly doesn’t understand your value.” He talked about a possible trade to the Miami Dolphins and how the team’s coach, Jimmy Johnson, had asked to see his injury. It didn’t work out, and it was back to Chicago.
We were both on a flight to San Francisco when Rashaan Salaam told me he was trying out for the San Francisco 49ers. He was ecstatic. I listened and wished him all the luck in the world, but it didn’t work out.
Then we happened to be on another f light together to Oakland, and we talked again, about an Oakland Raiders tryout. Rashaan Salaam opened up, saying he had left his heart on the field in Chicago. I asked,
“What got you here?” He replied, “Speed and power!” We agreed. He had to run over a linebacker, using speed and power, and cause a loud “Oooooooh! Did you see and hear that?” He also had to average 4.0 yards per carry. With that charming smile and a gleam in his eyes, he vowed to get it done. We laughed, hugged and went our way.
Rashaan Salaam averaged 3.9 yards per carry and was the last back cut.
I ran into him one more time at a restaurant. He f lashed that grin. We laughed, hugged, exchanged how we were doing, and went on our way. I thought all was well.
I later learned that Rashaan Salaam was suffering deeply inside. I hadn’t noticed or tried to probe. It’s believed head trauma may have had something to do with it. Like Junior Seau, another local football great, Rashaan Salaam ended his own life. As his family goes through another year without him, it should be a reminder to check on our
friends and loved ones. We thank you Rashaan Salaam, for your inspiration, and friendship. San Diegans will always be proud of you and your athletic abilities.
Ybarra is a San Diego native who has served as a nonprofit, government and community leader. He lives in Mission Valley.