Kevin Ellison, a former Southern California defensive back who was a captain for the Trojans before a brief NFL career, has died, He was 31.
USC’s athletic department confirmed Ellison’s death with a Twitter post on Saturday. The Los Angeles Times reported records from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office showed Ellison died on a freeway, though no cause of death was given and an exam was still pending. Ellison’s brother, Chris Ellison, told the Times his brother had mental issues and was walking along I-5 at the time of his death.
Kevin Ellison played for USC from 2005-08. He was an all-Pac-12 safety and played on teams that won three Rose Bowl games.
Ellison was drafted by San Diego in the sixth round in 2009 and played nine NFL games.
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