Ron Springs grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, and played at Ohio State. After leaving the Cowboys in 1984, he spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for 2,519 yards on 694 carries and scored 28 touchdowns in his career. This is confirmed by
Bloomberg.
The
Columbus Dispatch reports that John Johnson - a graduate assistant under Woody Hayes who recruited Springs - confirmed Springs' death from heart failure after speaking with his son, Shawn Springs, a former Ohio State cornerback who played last season with the NFL's New England Patriots.
"As a person, he was really, really funny," Johnson said. "Ron always had a story, and we had some fantastic laughs together."
Former Ohio State linebacker Al Washington said Springs was like a big brother to the younger players.
"He was crazy as all could be, but what a fantastic man," said Washington, a sophomore when Springs was a senior captain. "He would harass you, then love you just as much."
Throughout his life Springs suffered many medical problems; an organ transplant, diabetes, kidney failure and amputation of his lower right leg.
As
ProFootballTalk states, Springs is survived by his wife Adriane, son Shawn, and daughters Ayra and Ashley.
