Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers passed away at the age of 38 on Monday morning, news that rocked the sports world. Rogers hailed from Saginaw, Mi. and played his collegiate football at Michigan State before being selected by the Lions with the second overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. Other than Rogers' high draft position, his path to pro football was similar to Draymond Green's route to the Golden State Warriors, as Green also came from Saginaw and attended Michigan State.

Green reacted to Rogers' untimely death on Monday, saying that the wide out is a Michigan legend regardless of the fact that his NFL career didn't pan out like many had hoped:

Rogers' NFL career got off to a strong start, as he caught 22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns over the first five games of his rookie campaign, but a broken collarbone prematurely ended his season.

He then suffered another broken collarbone just one game into his sophomore year, and in his third season, Rogers was hit with a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy and finished with 14 catches for 197 yards and a score.

The Lions released him in September 2006.

Rogers had workouts with several other teams following his release, but due to the fact that his speed and athleticism had eroded significantly, he was never actually signed by any other club.

Had Rogers simply been able to stay healthy, who knows how good of an NFL receiver he could have become.

As for Green, the Warriors forward will likely make his return from his finger injury against the Utah Jazz on Monday night.