The Syracuse football family was struck by tragedy recently with the death of former standout running back Walter Reyes, who was only 36-years-old.
Videos by FanBuzz
Reyes, according to reports, died at the hospital after complaining of stomach pains for several days. Oddly and scarily enough, a cause of death has not yet been determined, and it will take a coroner's report eight to 10 weeks to do so.
Those will undoubtedly be anxious moments for Reyes' family and those who knew the former football player, but even answers to this medical mystery won't take the sting of the loss away.
The Associated Press, via ESPN, sheds more light on just how good Reyes was for Syracuse from 2001 to 2004:
A star in high school in Struthers, Ohio, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Reyes ran low and used his impressive power, acceleration, cutting ability and breakaway speed to befuddle defenders. He played for the Orange from 2001-04 and was a first-team All-Big East selection his senior season. He finished his college career with 3,424 yards rushing, behind only Joe Morris (4,299) at Syracuse.
Reyes was so good in his junior season for Syracuse that the school actually put him up for Heisman Trophy consideration in his senior year. The 2013 season saw Reyes rush for 1,347 yards and 20 touchdowns, which was a school record. He wasn't as good his senior season — due to injury — but still ended up rushing for 807 yards and seven touchdowns.
As a whole, Reyes totaled 625 carries for 3,424 yards and 45 touchdowns (not including one receiving touchdown) in four seasons for 'Cuse.
The Orange was honored at the Carrier Dome this past Monday night with a moment of silence before the men's basketball game between Syracuse and Maryland — a game the Orange won, 72-70.
