Former Crimson Tide Running Back Ray Hudson Dead At 42

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Several sources have confirmed to Tuscaloosa Patch that former University of Alabama Crimson Tide running back Ray Hudson has died.

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He was 42 years old.

The circumstances of his death have not been released to the public as of the publication of this story.

Hudson's untimely death at a young age makes him the third running back off of the 2002 Alabama team who also died young in a little over a year.

Santonio Beard, who played for the Crimson Tide from 2001-02, was shot and killed in February 2022, while Ahmaad Galloway, who was a gridiron standout from 1999-2002, died of an accidental drug overdose in January.

Hudson appeared in 42 games over four seasons with the Crimson Tide (2001-2004), rushing for 1,639 yards and seven touchdowns. After suffering a knee injury that ended his playing days at Alabama, Hudson signed with the NFL's New Orleans Saints but was cut early in training camp in 2005.

In 2014, Hudson opened up to AL.com's Jon Solomon about his battles with depression, anger and memory loss — issues that he blamed on traumatic head injuries suffered during his football career.

"I don't see where it would've come from anything else," he told AL.com. "I have anger issues and depression. I've never been on any kind of supplements or steroids. I've always been a happy-go-lucky guy my whole life."

Solomon's reporting in 2014 was quite telling and came amid a groundswell of legal action against the NFL and NCAA regarding concussion protocols leading to long-term health issues for athletes.

In his lawsuit, Hudson alleged that he suffered at least two concussions during his time in Tuscaloosa — one in practice in 2002 and another in a 2004 game against Western Carolina.

At the time, news outlets reported as many as 60 similar lawsuits against the NFL and NCAA

Hudson also told Solomon he believed he had suffered more concussions than were diagnosed but just kept playing.

In one instance, Hudson recalled one such instance, with Solomon writing: "He remembers after one hard hit standing in the backfield and continually asking quarterback Brodie Croyle whether it was a run or pass play and which direction the play was going."

Memorial services for Hudson have not been announced as of the publication of this story.

This is a breaking story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it comes available.