JaJuan Dawson, one of the best players in the history of Tulane football, died Sunday in what has been ruled a drowning accident at Lavon Lake near Dallas, Texas. He was 37 years old.
A native of Gibson, La., Dawson played for the Green Wave from 1995-99 and was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. Dawson is second in school history in receptions (234), touchdown catches (31), and 100-yard receiving games (14). He also ranks third with 3,048 career receiving yards.
Dawson’s best year came as a senior in 1999 when he broke Tulane’s single-season record with 96 catches.
“As we try to process this tragic news, our prayers and support go out to JaJuan’s entire family,” Green Wave athletic director Rick Dickson said in a statement. “The loss of JaJuan affects the lives of so many he had touched, and he will be remembered for the remarkable man we came to know.”
A three-time All-Conference USA selection, Dawson was a member of Tulane’s undefeated 1998 team, a season in which he caught 74 passes for 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dawson and the rest of the 1998 team were inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
After his college career came to an end, Dawson was drafted in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played three seasons in the NFL for the Browns and the Houston Texans, totaling 52 catches for 664 yards and two touchdowns.
According to NFL.com, Dawson fell off a boat on Sunday when he was with his three children and two other family members. He was not wearing a life vest, according to Collin County (Texas) Police.
Dawson’s body was recovered from the lake on Monday night and his identity was confirmed on Tuesday by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s office.
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