RIP Geno Hayes (Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports)
RIP Geno Hayes (Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports)

Former Bears linebacker passes away at age 33


Tony Crumpton Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor -

Terrible news to report today.

Former NFL linebacker Geno Hayes has passed away on Monday night while in hospice at his parents' home in Valdosta, Georgia.

He suffered from stage 3 liver disease and was only 33 years old.

Hayes had been on a waiting list for a liver transplant in December after dozens of hospitalizations.

"The first diagnosis they gave me was alcoholic cirrhosis,” Hayes told ESPN. “But when we dug in deeper, it became just chronic liver disease because I don’t drink like that. If I did drink, it was just like wine or something like that. But my body is made different. And that’s what [my doctor] said — ‘Everybody’s made different.'”

Hayes spent three seasons with the Bucs, two with the Jaguars, and one with the Bears (2012 season). He had 401 career tackles and 10 sacks.

He was a sixth-round draft pick out of Florida State in 2008.

Everyone at ChicagoBearsHQ wants to give our condolences to his wife, 12-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter at this difficult time.

RIP Mr. Hayes.

Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Tony Crumpton: Email | Comment
Breece Hall to the Bears? A trade idea worth considering
Breece Hall to the Bears? A trade idea worth considering
Ruben Hyppolite on how he fits with Bears, Zah Frazier on his journey to the NFL
Ruben Hyppolite on how he fits with Bears, Zah Frazier on his journey to the NFL
Luke Newman says Ben Johnson is "the ultimate competitor"
Luke Newman says Ben Johnson is "the ultimate competitor"
Post your comments!

LATEST BEARS NEWS