Remembering Zurlon Tipton
6/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
As news spread Tuesday about former Central Michigan University running back Zurlon Tipton's death in an accidental shooting, much of the discussion about him was not about his skills on the football field.
"Tragic," CMU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Gino Guidugli said. "As great as a player as he was, nothing compares to the person he was. He had a great personality."
Guidugli posted a short video on Twitter (@CoachGuidugli) showing Tipton in uniform dancing around assistant head coach Mose Rison. Rison tries to ignore Tipton, who absolutely refuses to be ignored. Finally, Rison just shakes his head.
"He grew up as a person at CMU," Guidugli said. "He came in a little immature, and he grew academically, socially and as a player. He was a great teammate, great to have as a coach and he lifted everybody else around him. And he led. He was not going to let anybody else in the locker room outwork him."
Tipton, 26, died when one of two handguns he had in a bag discharged, striking him while he was in a service bay at an auto dealership in Roseville. He was transported to the St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.
At Central Michigan, Tipton played from 2009-2013 and finished with 34 rushing touchdowns, fourth most in school history. In 2012, he earned team most valuable player honors as he played a key role in CMU's drive to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Bowl. For the season, he rushed for 1,492 yards, scored 20 touchdowns and was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference player.
"This is shocking and tragic news, and our condolences go out to Zurlon's family and friends," CMU Associate Vice President/Athletics Director Dave Heeke said. "We knew Zurlon as a good guy, a captain and a student who grew as a person and a player on his way to getting his degree at CMU. What he did on the field in his career established him as one of the top running backs in CMU history."
Indianapolis Colts teammate and fellow running back Frank Gore told the Indianapolis Star he was "messed up" by the news.
"He was a good dude. He really wanted football to work out. He was always great with the playbook but most of all, he was a great person. He loved to have fun. He was always loud and acting crazy in the locker room. That's just who he was."
Reaction across social media was swift and heartfelt.
From Twitter:
RIP Zurlon Tipton
-- Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown84) June 28, 2016
Rest in peace, Zurlon. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Tipton family.
-- Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) June 28, 2016
Zurlon Tipton, a former Colts RB, died after accidentally shooting himself at a car dealership. He was 26. https://t.co/y69PsAs2mF
-- ESPN (@espn) June 28, 2016
Former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton has passed away after accidental shooting: https://t.co/QZDoX26WCD pic.twitter.com/B9nTVCJmk7
-- NFL (@NFL) June 28, 2016
Talked to Frank Gore about Zurlon Tipton. He was taking the news hard. They shared the backfield last season: https://t.co/lC3nUpEgMv
-- Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 28, 2016
Former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton died today in an accidental shooting at a Michigan car dealership.... https://t.co/JcvhzmQJNr
-- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2016
My heart & prayers go out to the family of Zurlon Tipton. A young talent & great teammate. #37🙏🏻
-- Matt (@MattOverton_LS) June 28, 2016
Sad news -- former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton (2014 and 2015) dies after accidentally shooting himself in the stomach: https://t.co/GkMmpqMr4L
-- Mike Berman (@MikeBermanIndy) June 28, 2016