Sad news today for Washington fans, former quarterback and fan favourite Colt Brennan has passed away at just 37 years old. The former sixth round pick of Washington, was first found unconscious in a rehabilitation center in Southern California a few days ago.
Brennan found immediate favor with Washington fans in 2008, and even spawned Cult of Colt posters.
Brennan came to Washington after a fantastic college career at Hawaii. He was third in Heismann voting in 2007, and holds several NCAA Division I FBS records. He won the Sammy Baugh trophy in 2006 as the nation’s top collegiate passer.
The 186th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, Brennan signed a four year $1.8M deal with Washington. He lit up the pre-season, and led all rookies in touchdown passes, passing yards, and quarterback rating. He looked to be a potential quarterback of the future in Washington, and the fans loved him.
Jason Campbell was starting his third season, and it was Jim Zorn’s first season as head coach. Washington also had Todd Collins. So despite the rookie’s preseason success, he wasn’t cracking the line-up quickly.
In 2009, he tore his hamstring and injured his hip – the same hip he had hurt at Hawaii. He was placed on injured reserve on September 4th, 2009.
He was released by Washington in 2010, and signed with the Oakland Raiders. He was cut by Oakland on September 4th, 2010.
He never got to play a down of regular season NFL football.
After Football
In 2010, Brennan was a passenger in a car accident, that left him with broken ribs, and a serious head injury.
Brennan described his injuries in the Washington Post in 2014:
All I know is I woke up, six, seven days later, […] and I was — and I still am — a different person. I suffered minor TBI — traumatic brain injury. I just have a small scar, you know, on my brain, but it’s in an area that makes you impulsive and emotional. I’ve had to learn how to control that.
Rehab
Colt had been in a rehabilitation program for the past five months. He has publicly suffered from drug and alcohol issues; but he appeared on the mend before suffering a relapse.
He posted what is now a haunting message on Instagram just a few months ago:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNl7BDIhrrv/?igshid=o8sg2wgiy2az
Brennan was found unconscious at a rehabilitation center a few days ago, and transported to Hoag Hospital in Newport.
Tragically, he died yesterday with family and friends around him.
Thirty-seven is no age to die.
May he rest in peace.