[3] A practicing Muslim,[4] he attended La Jolla Country Day School in suburban San Diego,[5] and played eight-man football.

He also amassed 24 touchdowns and helped lead Colorado to an 11–1 record, including a 41–24 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and a No.

The Buffaloes' only loss of the season was to Big Eight Conference rival Nebraska, which finished undefeated and ranked first in both major polls as national champions.

Salaam had four consecutive 200-yard rushing games during the season, his best effort coming against the Texas Longhorns, when he set a school record with 362 yards total offense in a 34–31 win at Austin.

[18] Salaam launched what appeared to be a final attempt at an NFL career in 2002, beginning with a much publicized training at the Cris Carter Speed School.

[19] He was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers in 2003, but was released in the penultimate round of cuts in August, despite receiving accolades from head coach Dennis Erickson.

[21][22] Several weeks later on December 29, it was confirmed that the manner of death was suicide, specifically a gunshot wound to the head, in a report released by the Boulder County coroner's office.