Former Cowboys Star Marion Barber III Died Of Heat Stroke: Autopsy

FRISCO, TX — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III died of heat stroke, according to the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office.

Barber's death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.

Frisco police found the 38-year-old's body June 1 during a welfare check at his apartment and believed at the time there was no foul play involved.

The bathtub faucet was on and Barber's thermostat set to 91 degrees when police found him, according to the autopsy report. Barber was known to exercise in sauna-like conditions, according to the report.

The medical examiner also noted that Barber's body had begun decomposing by the time officers conducted the welfare check.

Sources told the the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that family hadn't heard from Barber for several days before his death, and water was seen leaking from the apartment, prompting the welfare check.

Barber spent six season with the Cowboys and one with the Chicago Bears before retiring after the 2011 season. He earned the nickname "Marion the Barbarian" for his punishing running style.

He finished his career with 53 rushing touchdowns, including 47 with the Cowboys, good for fourth on the franchise's all-time list. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007, when he rushed for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns while splitting carries with Julius Jones and without ever being the designated starter. He rushed for a career-high 14 touchdowns a year earlier.

The Cowboys drafted him out of Minnesota in fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. With the Golden Gophers, he teamed with Laurence Maroney to become the first college teammates to each run for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, accomplishing the feat over the 2003 and 2004 seasons.