Former Detroit Lions Star Charles Rogers Dies At 38

DETROIT, MI — Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers has died at age 38, according to reports. He reportedly suffered from liver failure and was recently diagnosed with cancer, reports say. He was just coming out of a recent hospitalization, according to reports.

The Lions said Monday that they "are deeply saddened" to learn of his death.
"From Saginaw, to East Lansing, to Detroit, Charles' connection to the state of Michigan and its football community was felt by many during the course of his life," the Lions said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time."
According to ESPN, Rogers was selected by the Lions with the second overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft after two outstanding seasons at Michigan State.

"Rogers' career with the Lions was derailed by season-ending injuries to his clavicle in 2003 and 2004, which limited him to a total of just six games in those seasons," the ESPN report said. "He appeared in nine games for Detroit in 2005, when his season was abbreviated by a four-game drug suspension, before being released by the Lions in September 2006."

A five-star recruit out of Saginaw High, Rogers enjoyed a record-setting two seasons at Michigan State, where he is the school's all-time leader with 27 touchdown catches, ESPN reported.

According to the Detroit News: "It began in Saginaw, where Rogers starred in football, basketball and track and field. In 1999, he led Saginaw to a football state championship as a senior and then was part of the basketball team that reached the Class A semifinals before losing to Lansing Waverly, a game in which Rogers scored 31 points," the report said. "He was also a standout on the track, winning state championships in 100- and 200-meter dashes as a sophomore, the 400-meter as a junior and the 200-meter in his senior year."