NFL Cowboys' Ennis Haywood dies following brief illness

The 23-year-old running back took part in last week's mini-camp.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys running back Ennis Haywood died Sunday afternoon after a brief illness that began Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
He was 23.
"Mr. Haywood died at 3:27 p.m.," said Diane Stout of the Medical Center of Arlington. "The cause of death is unknown."
Stout said an autopsy would be performed in the next few days to determine the cause of death.
Angela Jernigan, Haywood's sister-in-law, said he began vomiting in his sleep about 4 a.m. Saturday. She said he stopped breathing about 6 a.m., prompting the family to call 911.
Haywood was placed on life support at the hospital.
"This is a time to offer support and our deepest sympathy to the family," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who spent much of Sunday at the hospital with Haywood's family.
"Our hearts go out to them. This is a tragedy involving a person who was very well-liked and respected by anyone who had the opportunity to know him."
Was competing for roster spot
Haywood participated in the club's three-day minicamp last week and was expected to compete for a roster spot at halfback. Players received physical exams before the minicamp begins.
Haywood worked out four days a week at 7:30 a.m with the first of four exercise groups. On Friday, he completed four 300-yard sprints with 1 minute, 30 seconds of rest between each run.
"He was blazing," veteran safety Darren Woodson said. "I was winded after the third one, and he was talking and joking.
"We had a running joke between us. He always said he wasn't going to run me into the ground when we were running, but he always did."
Haywood, an undrafted free agent from Iowa State, made the practice squad because the Cowboys liked his punishing running style and his muscular 5-foot-10, 229-pound body. He led the team in rushing during preseason with 120 yards on 31 carries with a long of 36.
But it was his attitude that impressed Woodson.
"He was a good kid -- the kind you want to do well," Woodson said. "He was quiet, humble and he had big dreams. He was always smiling. You could never look at Ennis and tell whether he was having a bad day."
Came from Iowa State
Haywood excelled at Iowa State.
He finished fifth on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,862 yards and sixth in touchdowns with 27. As a senior, he rushed for 1,169 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Big 12 Conference.
"Ennis made me a better coach. He was the heart and soul of the turnaround that our program made," Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said. "He was one of the classiest people that we've ever had in the program and one of the most tenacious players we've ever had on the field."
At Dallas' Carter High School, he was an honor student with a 3.5 grade-point average. He was also a person, who never forgot his roots.
"He always talked about going back to South Dallas and giving back to the community," Woodson said. "He was a South Dallas kid. That's where his heart was and that's who he wanted to help.
"When we walk in the locker room [today], you'll know he's not there. It's going to be tough."