Former Alabama Running Back Santonio Beard killed in shooting

The Crimson Tide back is tied for the school's single-game rushing touchdown mark with five against Ole Miss in 2002.

Former Alabama running back Santonio Beard died over the weekend according to multiple reports Saturday. The Nashville, Tenn., native was 41. Details concerning his death were unavailable at the time.

Tuesday update: The Tennessean reported that Santonio Beard died from a gunshot wound Friday, according to DeKalb County Police Department officials in Georgia.

Officers responded to a call and found Beard and another man suffering from gunshot wound. Beard died on the scene, while other man was transported to the hospital.

No arrests had been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

Beard played at Alabama from 2000-02. He was recruited by Mike Dubose but saw the field during his sophomore and junior seasons under Dennis Franchione, recording a combined 1,526 total yards and 16 touchdowns over that span.

Beard’s best season came in 2002 when he ran for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns on 165 carries while adding another 75 yards on five receptions. The highlight of that year came during a 42-7 victory over Ole Miss in which he ran for 138 yards and five touchdowns. His five scores on the ground tied the school’s single-game record, matching Shaun Alexander’s mark against BYU in 1998. Beard is also remembered for his 199 rushing yards during Alabama's 31-7 victory over Auburn in the 2001 Iron Bowl. 

In Beard’s three seasons at Alabama, the Crimson Tide went 20-16. That included a 10-3 record in the 2002 season when the team topped the SEC West standings with a 6-2 mark in conference play. Alabama was unable to participate in the SEC Championship Game that year due to NCAA sanctions.

After Franchione’s departure in December of 2002, Beard decided to forgo his senior season and pursue a professional career. He went undrafted before signing with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League and later spent a short stint in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. He did not appear in any games. 

Remembering Santonio Beard

Tennessean

Photo | Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Photo | George L. Walker/ The Tennessean

Photo | Peyton Hoge, Copyright 1996 The Tennessean

University of Alabama