Prolific University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, has died at the age of 37.
Stephen Tsai of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported the news of Brennan’s death:
Although it’s yet to be confirmed what the cause of Brennan’s death was, Hawaii News Now reported that he was thought to be at a California rehabilitation facility at the time of his passing.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter passed along further details surrounding Brennan’s death:
Brennan suffered a brain injury as a result of a 2010 car accident, and has had multiple arrests in the subsequent years related to substance abuse.
Brennan spent two seasons with the Washington Football Team after he was drafted, but wasn’t on an active NFL roster after that. He had brief stints in the CFL, UFL and Arena Football League before his career finished in 2014.
Prior to reaching the NFL, Brennan was a record-setting passer at Hawaii. He finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2006 and in the top three the following year.
Across three seasons as a starter for the Rainbow Warriors, the numbers Brennan put up were incredible. He passed for 14,193 yards with a 70.4% completion rate, throwing for 131 touchdowns against only 42 interceptions. A Hawaii Bowl win and an undefeated 2007 regular season were notable among Brennan’s accomplishments as well.