May 13th, 2011
08:26 AM ET

Ron Springs, former Dallas Cowboys player, dies after four years in coma

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs died after four years in a coma without regaining consciousness, the team announced on on its site.

He died of a heart attack Thursday, the team said.

Springs, 54, began his career at Ohio State and was drafted into the Cowboys in 1979, where he started alongside Tony Dorsett.

After his NFL career ended, he battled several health problems.

In 1990, doctors told him he had diabetes; in 2007, he got a kidney transplant; and later that year, he fell into a coma during an operation to remove a cyst.

"Ron's life will always be remembered by the joy and laughter that he brought to others and the courage and toughness he displayed until the end," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Regardless of the circumstances, he always had a smile for everyone. The Dallas Cowboys have lost a wonderful member of our family, and we share our thoughts and prayers with his family."

Springs is survived by his wife, Adriane, and son Shawn Springs, who is a cornerback in the NFL, the statement said.

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Filed under: Football • Sports
soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. banasy

    My condolences to his wife and son. You have my sympathy.

    May 13, 2011 at 9:29 am | Report abuse |
  2. r.ortiz

    i do not know him but rest in peace.

    May 13, 2011 at 11:30 am | Report abuse |
  3. Angie

    May u rest in peace. May ur family have the courage 2 go on im sure he would have wanted it that way

    May 13, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Sunshine Girl *

    All my sympathies/condolences to his wife and children. Just goes to show you how fragile life is. So sad.

    May 15, 2011 at 2:47 am | Report abuse |
  5. Rkabrx

    Dislike Cowaboys : respected the man. Death is a sad end. In this case, after 4 years a mercy 4 a decent man! Rest in peace.

    June 3, 2011 at 12:53 pm | Report abuse |
  6. CHERYL

    SO SORRY -YOUR HUSBAND IN HEAVEN -WITH NO MORE SUFFERING -GOD BLESS YOU

    June 16, 2011 at 10:40 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Larry Jackson

    Ron Springs,was a good back-up running back in the late 1970,s and early 1980's decades by the backup running side with Tony Dorset.I,use to enjoy watching him play he will be missed.But,i believe he has a lone star up in heaven by the side of Bob Bullet Hayes, giving the Cowboys guidance and still help on the playing field by winning with Tom Landry's help. Rest,in peace Ron [MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN THE END]

    November 13, 2013 at 4:03 pm | Report abuse |
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