Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers has died at 38, news that was confirmed by former teammates of Rogers on Twitter.
“Devastated to learn of the passing of my Spartan brother Charles Rogers,” former NFL tight end Chris Baker, who played with Rogers at Michigan State, wrote on Twitter early Monday morning. “Spoke with his mom this morning. Please pray for her and his children. Please also be respectful of their privacy at this difficult time. Rip Chuck.”
After breaking numerous school receiving records during his time with the Spartans, Rogers was originally selected by the Lions with the second overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.
However, injuries prevented him from ever realizing his potential.
Article Continues BelowRogers' rookie campaign got off to a good start, as he caught 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns over his first five games, but a broken collarbone ended his season.
He then played in just one game during his sophomore year before another broken collarbone surfaced, and in 2005, he was suspended for four games as a result of violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He would ultimately play in nine games that season, finishing with 14 catches for 197 yards and a score.
That was the last time we saw Rogers on an NFL football field, as the Lions released him in September 2006.
He had workouts with several other teams afterward, but when it became clear that Rogers had lost a significant amount of his speed and athleticism that made him a No. 2 overall pick, none of the clubs signed him.