Former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Ray Hudson has passed away according to reporting from Ryan Phillips of Patch.com and several social media posts made by former teammates.
The circumstances of the 42-year old’s death remain unclear at this time.
Hudson served as a rotational running back for Alabama from 2001-04, taking 278 carries for 1639 yards and seven touchdowns while hauling in 30 receptions for 333 yards and three scores during 42 games of action. He was carrying the load for the Tide as the lead back in 2004 before suffering a leg injury that shortened his season.
He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2004 but was cut after a short time in training camp.
The tailback took part in suing the NCAA in 2014 with over 65 other former football players for the way it handled concussions during his playing career.
“I should have taken myself out of the play because I didn’t understand nothing,” Hudson told Al.com in 2014. “Sometimes with me everything would go black, like your eyes would be open but it would go black. You’d be in the huddle and the quarterback would be calling the play out and it just sounds like hmmmm. But it comes back in a few seconds and it starts becoming clearer. I think that happens a lot. Some people just don’t acknowledge it. Sometimes that’s why you’ve messed up on the football field.”
He documented two concussions suffered in Tuscaloosa, one in a 2002 practice and one in a 2004 game against Western Carolina.
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