Former Bears and Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes, who had been under hospice care at his parents’ home in Georgia, died Monday evening from liver disease.
He was 33.
Frankie Carroll, who coached Hayes at Madison County (Fla.) High School, told the Tallahassee Democrat he was informed of the player’s passing by Hayes’ family.
“It’s one of those things where you have to make sure you tell them you love them,” said Carroll, who recently visited Hayes.
In an interview with ESPN earlier this year, Hayes said he was diagnosed with “chronic liver disease” two years ago.