The Colts released a statement announcing the news

 

 

 

 

FORMER Indianapolis Colts running back Randy McMillan has died aged 67, the NFL franchise confirmed.

McMillan was once one of the brightest young talents in the NFL, bursting onto the scene in spectacular fashion after being taken 12th overall in the 1981 Draft by the Baltimore Colts.

 
Baltimore Colts
Randy McMillan was once a Colts star

 
Baltimore Colts
He died at age 67, the NFL franchise confirmed

 
Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Colts
Randy McMillan during an NFL game 1983

 

 

 

In a statement, the Colts said, “McMillan burst on to the NFL scene in 1981 and spent his entire six-year career with the franchise.

“His impact during our early years in Indianapolis will not be forgotten.”

No cause of death has been announced.

 

 

 

McMillan leaves behind a legacy of promise, power and perseverance – a star whose brilliance burned brightly, even if far too briefly.

A Maryland native, he was living the dream by being picked by his hometown team and wasted no time proving he belonged.

On his NFL debut against the New England Patriots, McMillan ran riot, rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns in a dramatic 29-28 victory.

 

 

 

It remains one of the finest first outings in Colts history and instantly marked him out as a player with superstar potential.

McMillan went on to spend his entire six-year career with the franchise, making the move when the Colts relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.

From 1984 to 1986 – the club’s first three seasons in Indy – he led the team in rushing yards every year, becoming a central figure during a period of transition.

 

 

 

But just as his career was gathering momentum, tragedy struck.

In April 1987, McMillan was hit by a car in the early hours of the morning near his Maryland home after a night out, suffering devastating injuries.

He later revealed he had shattered both bones in his leg and required plastic surgery on the right side of his face.

The incident effectively ended his NFL career at just 28 years old, despite attempts to fight his way back.

 

 

 

He was then released before the 1988 season, had a brief and unsuccessful spell with the Miami Dolphins, and quietly walked away from the game.

Further hardship followed in 2002, when he sustained a serious spinal injury after crashing his car into a guard rail, leaving him struggling to walk.

 

 

 

Despite everything, McMillan showed resilience, once saying, “The injury has been an eye-opener for me. But I take on the challenge.”

Over 88 career games, he rushed for 3,876 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also catching 164 passes.