Marion Barber, a former running back for the Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 38, according to the team.

Marion Barber III, the former Dallas Cowboys running back who ranks fourth all-time in franchise history with 47 rushing touchdowns, died on Wednesday, according to the organisation. He was 38 years old at the time.

Barber spent his final season with the Bears in 2011, following six years with the Cowboys. Following his career, he struggled with mental health concerns.

Frisco police said they conducted a welfare check at an apartment “believed to be rented” by Barber on Wednesday and were investigating an unattended death there.

The Cowboys, whose headquarters are in Frisco, said they were “heartbroken” by Marion Barber III’s death.

The squad described Marion as a “old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the determination to win every down.” “He was enthralled by the game and adored his coaches and teammates.”

Marion Barber Jr., Barber’s father, spent seven seasons with the New York Jets in the 1980s.

Before two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott passed him in 2021, the younger Barber was third on Dallas’ career tally for running touchdowns. Barber tallied 53 total touchdowns in his seven seasons and never had fewer than four in any of them, despite never having a 1,000-yard running season.

Despite playing only one game in each of the two seasons, the former Minnesota player, who was drafted in the fourth round by Dallas in 2005, recorded 24 touchdowns in 2006-07.

Barber’s career high was 14 touchdowns in 2006, while only rushing for 654 yards.

Barber set a career best with 975 yards running and 10 touchdowns in 2007, his only Pro Bowl appearance. His role and output deteriorated from there, and in his final year in Dallas in 2010, he set career lows in carries, yards, and touchdowns.

Barber was arrested and transported to a hospital for a mental health examination three years after his career ended. It’s unclear what sparked the calls that prompted the police reaction in Mansfield, another Dallas suburb.

Barber and his father were both Golden Gophers players, and the younger Barber ranks second on the school’s career running touchdown chart with 35.

Barber and Laurence Maroney, a first-round choice by New England in 2006, became the first NCAA running backs to have two 1,000-yard seasons on the same team in consecutive years. It was completed in 2003-04.

Barber’s younger brothers, Dom and Thomas Barber, were also Gophers players. Dom Barber was a defensive back with the Houston Texans for four years.