Marion Barber III facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Marion Barber III

Barber with the Dallas Cowboys in 2007
No. 24
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1983-06-10)June 10, 1983 Plymouth, Minnesota
Died:	June 1, 2022(2022-06-01) (aged 38) Frisco, Texas
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Wayzata (Plymouth, Minnesota)
College:	Minnesota
NFL Draft:	2005 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2005) Chicago Bears (2011)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2007)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 1,156 Rushing yards: 4,780 Rushing touchdowns: 53 Receptions: 179 Receiving yards: 1,330 Receiving touchdowns: 6 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Marion Sylvester Barber III (born June 10, 1983 – died June 1, 2022) was a talented American football player. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons.

He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Dallas Cowboys picked him in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2007 while playing for the Cowboys. He later played for the Chicago Bears in 2011.

Marion came from a family of football players. His older brother, Dominique Barber, played safety for the Houston Texans. His younger brother, Thomas Barber, was a linebacker for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. His father, Marion Barber Jr., was also an NFL running back for the New York Jets. Marion was also a cousin to Peyton Barber, another NFL player.

Early Life and Sports

Marion Barber III grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota. He went to Wayzata High School and was a star athlete. He excelled in football, baseball, and track.

In football, he was recognized as one of the best players in the Midwest. As a senior, he played both running back and defensive back. He ran for 1,778 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He also had 10 interceptions, showing his skills on defense.

Marion was also a good baseball player, playing center fielder. In his only track season, he ran the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds.

College Football Career

Like his father, Marion Barber III attended the University of Minnesota. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Coaches first thought he might play safety. But after seeing him run, they kept him at running back.

He became one of the best running backs in the school's history. He ranked fourth in all-time rushing yards with 3,276 yards. He was also second in all-purpose yards and second in rushing touchdowns with 35. This was even one more touchdown than his father scored in college!

Starting in his second year, he teamed up with Laurence Maroney. They formed one of the best running back duos in college football. They were the first teammates in NCAA Division I history to each run for over 1,000 yards in two years in a row.

Professional Football Career

Playing for the Dallas Cowboys (2005–2010)

Marion Barber decided to enter the NFL Draft early. The Dallas Cowboys chose him in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was the 109th player picked overall.

He faced some challenges early on, including a toe infection and fumbles. But when other players got injured, Barber got his chance. He ran for 95 yards against the Seattle Seahawks and 127 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. He also showed he was good at blocking and playing on special teams. This helped him become the Cowboys' main backup running back.

Barber at the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl

In 2006, even as a backup, Barber became known as a strong runner. He was especially good at scoring touchdowns near the goal line. He led the NFC with 14 rushing touchdowns that year.

During the 2007 season, Barber's powerful running style earned him the nickname "Marion the Barbarian." He was known for breaking tackles, meaning he was hard to bring down. He ran for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 44 passes for 282 yards.

In December 2007, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. This was a big honor, even though he was officially a backup player.

In 2008, the Cowboys offered Barber a big contract. He signed a seven-year deal for $45 million. People wondered if his tough running style might shorten his career. His yards per carry began to drop as he took on more work.

In 2009 and 2010, injuries and the rise of other running backs like Tashard Choice and Felix Jones affected his playing time. In 2010, he had his lowest rushing yards and touchdowns of his career.

Time with the Chicago Bears (2011)

The Dallas Cowboys released Barber in July 2011. Soon after, the Chicago Bears signed him to a two-year contract. He became the second-string running back behind Matt Forte.

He missed the first three games of the 2011 season due to a calf muscle injury. In a game against the Denver Broncos, he scored a touchdown and had his first 100-yard rushing game since 2009. However, he ran out of bounds at a key moment, which allowed the Broncos to win the game.

In the 2011 season, Barber ran for 422 yards. After the season, Marion Barber III announced his retirement from the NFL on March 23, 2012.

NFL Career Statistics

Here are some of Marion Barber III's career statistics from his time in the NFL:

Death

Marion Barber III was found dead in his apartment in Frisco, Texas, on June 1, 2022. He was 38 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Marion Barber III para niños