Former Florida State, NFL Linebacker Geno Hayes, 33, Passes Away From Liver Disease

Former NFL and Florida State Seminoles linebacker Geno Hayes passed away on Monday evening after a battle with severe liver disease, according to WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida. He was just 33 years old.

It's an unfortunate situation.

Two years ago, Hayes said in an interview with ESPN that he'd been diagnosed with a chronic liver condition. Things quickly deteriorated, and the once 6-foot-1, 226-pound linebacker was in and out of the hospital over 20 times last year.

Last week, Hayes was moved into hospice care at his parents' home in Valdosta, Georgia.

Hayes spent three seasons at Florida State, beginning in 2005. In his last two years there, he racked up 139 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. He also brought in two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then selected him in the sixth round back in 2008. He played seven seasons in the league, including stints with the Chicago Bears (2012) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-14).

In those seven seasons, Hayes produced 401 tackles, 48.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and 6 interceptions. Not bad for a sixth-round pick, right?

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.