Ex-Michigan State player reportedly passed away at age 38
Michigan State football is set to face Indiana in Week 4 on Saturday, but sad news came way through Twitter to start the day.
According to former Spartans RB Little John Flowers, who played in East Lansing from 1998-2001, his former teammate LB Mike Labinjo died in his sleep:
Sad day one of the best Man,Friend, Teammates, Fathers and Spartan Mike Labinjo rest easy love you bro #bigOnion #Spartannation is mourning original #SpartanDawg pic.twitter.com/1DJnscwDRs
— Little John Flowers (@THEGHOST3323) September 22, 2018
I know he passed in his sleep
— Little John Flowers (@THEGHOST3323) September 22, 2018
Outside of Labinjo reportedly passing away in his sleep, no further details are known.
Labinjo started as a RB, but moved to LB and played from 1999-2003. Labinjo was eventually selected in the 2003 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders in the third round.
The 6-foot LB was then signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004, played with the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and then played with the Miami Dolphins is 2005-06. Labinjo eventually finished his career back in the CFL with the Stampeders from 2007-10.