Former Detroit Lions wide receiver and the second overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft Charle Rogers passed away at the age of 38, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari.
Rogers entered the NFL following a brilliant career at Michigan State, however injuries derailed what was a promising career, as Rogers played in just 15 games with the Lions over 3 seasons.
Rogers suffered a broken collarbone twice, and later admitted that he became addicted to Vicdin while he was playing with the Lions, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Rogers also had issues with alcohol and marijuana, saying that he smoked marijuana every day while at Michigan State and during his NFL career as well.
Rogers continued to have issues following his NFL career, with issues with the law as well as substance abuse.
Rogers died Monday from liver failure, according to his former Saginaw High coaches (h/t MLive.com).
“I called his mom at the hospital over the weekend and got a chance to talk to Charles,” former Saginaw High football coach Don Durrett said. “He said he was going to the Lord.”
“He had cancer, whether that was related to his liver I don’t know,” former Saginaw High basketball coach and athletic director Marshall Thomas said. “They had given him 30 days to live if he didn’t get a liver transplant.”
Rogers also battled cancer.