Former Bears LB Hayes in hospice care
Geno Hayes, who played three seasons at Florida State and seven in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Bears and Jaguars, is under hospice care at his parents’ home for liver complications, his former high school coach said. He’s 33.
“Geno’s in need of prayers. He’s fighting for his life,” said Frankie Carroll, Hayes’ former high school coach, who visited him at his mother’s home in Valdosta, Georgia, on Sunday. “It’s tough. Geno’s a fun-loving guy.”
Hayes — known for his instincts, athleticism and quickness — always seemed to find the football.
“And he’d get people on the ground when he got there,” former Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrew said. “He had a motor, a knack for locating the ball."
Hayes signed with Florida State in 2005 out of Madison County, Florida, where he started as an undersized defensive lineman before he moved to linebacker and became an All-American.
Hayes finished his junior season at Florida State second on the team in tackles with 94 and was first in tackles for loss with 17½.
Bypassing his senior season and declaring for the NFL Draft, Hayes was a sixthround selection of the Buccaneers in 2008. He moved into the starter’s role at weak-side linebacker in his second season with the Bucs, finishing with a career-best 98 tackles.
Hayes played in 101 NFL games with 70 starts spread between the Bucs (2008-11), Bears (2012) and Jags (2013-14). He had 401 tackles and 10 sacks in his career.