Former Bama Star Santonio Beard Was Fatally Shot, Reports Say

Santonio Beard, a standout running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the early 2000's, was fatally shot this weekend in Georgia, according to reports out of his native Tennessee.

Beard was found dead Frdiay in Lithonia Georgia, but few details about the 41-year-old's untimely death were immediately available.

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On Tuesday afternoon, the Tennessean newspaper reported that police have determined that Beard was fatally shot.

Citing information from the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia, the Tennessean said Beard and a second man were found shot Friday night.

Beard reportedly died at the scene of the incident, and the other man was taken to an area hospital for treatment of his wounds.

No suspects had been arrested and charged for the killing as of Tuesday evening.

One of Beard's most remembered performances with the Tide came in the 2001 Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium, where he recorded a season-high 199 yards on 20 carries in a 31-7 victory over the Tigers.

Beard also trounced the Ole Miss Rebels almost single-handedly in 2002, when he rushed for five touchdowns in a 42-7 drubbing, tying a record set by Shaun Alexander in 1998 that was tied by Najee Harris against Ole Miss in 2020.