Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Greenville native and former Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboy Geno Hayes, 33, has passed away, apparently from complications due to chronic liver disease. Hayes, who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) after a three-year playing career at Florida State University (FSU), had been battling liver problems for a couple of years and was awaiting a liver transplant.
In an interview with ESPN, Hayes said he was originally diagnosed two years ago when he quickly lost nearly 70 pounds. “The first diagnosis they gave me was alcoholic cirrhosis,” Hayes told ESPN's Jenna Laine. “But when we dug deeper, it became just chronic liver disease, because I don't drink like that.” Hayes went on to tell ESPN that he felt it was the use of over-the-counter pain medications during his playing career, along with a family history of liver disease that led to his condition. Despite his condition, Hayes remained as upbeat as possible, all the way to the end. “I'm enjoying life,” said Hayes. “I'm spending more time with my kids, and I really want to help people.”
That desire to help people was nothing new for Hayes. According to Hayes' high school football coach, and current Madison County school board member, Frankie Carroll, it was not unusual to see Hayes spending time with youngsters in his native Greenville. “Geno loved Madison County. His hometown, Greenville, was very dear to his heart,” said Coach Carroll. “When he made it to the NFL he always came home and did for the kids there giving away toys at Christmas, having youth football camps and just hanging out in the park throwing the ball around. I was truly blessed to have been able to coach him and get to see him develop as a player and as [a] man [who] made a difference in so many lives.”
Coach Carroll coached Hayes throughout his high school years as a standout Cowboy linebacker at MCHS. Coach Carroll has many stories about the Greenville youngster who went on to play alongside NFL greats like Hall-of-Famers Derek Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears. “One time I took Geno and his dad to Tallahassee to meet Coach Bobby Bowden [at FSU],” recalls Carroll. “Geno's dad told Coach Bowden that Geno really likes milk, to which Coach Bowden replied, 'If he'll sign with us, we'll put a cow in his room!'” Hayes did sign with FSU and had a three-year, All-American career with the Seminoles. Hayes was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. After playing for the Bucs, Hayes signed with the Chicago Bears in 2012. Hayes finished his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, in 2014.“My main goal is to just inspire,” said Hayes. “To inspire the next person, no matter what they're going through, no matter what [or] who talks bad about them – family, friends, social media, all of that crap – it don't matter. You take care of you. Make sure you're straight. That's all I want to do.”
Hayes had two children, ages 13 and eight. As of press time, no final arrangements have been made public.
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