EAST LANSING -- Former Michigan State football player Mike Labinjo died early Saturday morning while sleeping at his home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, said Hilary Jeavons, a longtime friend. He was 38.

Labinjo played for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders from 2007 to 2010 and stayed in the area after his career ended in 2011.

“Mike was probably the happiest, most easygoing guy you could meet," Jeavons told the State Journal Monday afternoon. "He would always make a joke.

"I keep calling him because I want this to be some kind of joke."

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Jeavons said the Alberta Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to release a report about Labinjo's cause of death to his family on Tuesday.

Katherine Thompson, an office spokesperson, declined comment Monday, citing the province's medical privacy laws.

Labinjo was a member of the Stampeders' 2008 Grey Cup Championship team and starred as a hard-hitting defensive lineman. He was recruited by MSU in 1999 as a running back, but moved quickly to a linebacker position.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike’s death,” Stampeders President and General Manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He was a big man with a big personality to match and he was a key part of our Grey Cup championship team in 2008.

"The team offers its condolences to Mike’s family and friends.”

Jeavons, who has known Labinjo for over 10 years, said a memorial service for him will be held this week in Calgary.

Labinjo will have two funerals in Canada. His first funeral will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home's Deerfoot South Chapel in Calgary, 40th Street S.E. Condolences for the family may be forwarded through the funeral home's website, mhfh.com/labinjo-michael-mike.

A funeral in Toronto is expected to be held early next week.

In lieu of flowers, Labinjo's family will accept donations to support Hailey, Labinjo's 10-year-old daughter. A GoFundMe.com fundraising account is expected to be created and accept donations by Friday.

Jean Lefebvre, a Stampeders spokesman, said Labinjo retired from the CFL in 2011 after he was traded by the Stampeders to the Montreal Alouettes.

Labinjo's career ended after he failed a physical exam because of an elbow injury, Lefebvre said.

While at MSU, Labinjo was listed at 6-foot and at least 250 pounds. He gained weight over the years, but stayed active throughout his life.

The Stampeders' 2010 media guide listed Labinjo at 6-feet, 280 pounds.

Jeavons, one of Labinjo's closest friends, said he played in a softball game in Saskatchewan about a week before died.

Labinjo is the second member of Michigan State football's highly-touted 1999 recruiting class to pass away since 2003.

Brian Ottney, a center for the Spartans, died in 2003 in Long Beach, Calif.

Joe Tate, an MSU teammate of Labinjo and Ottney, told the State Journal Monday the second death of the 1999 class "puts some perspective on life."

Tate, an offensive lineman, was also part of the 1999 class. He found out about Labinjo's death over the weekend on Facebook and described his teammate as a calming influence during the program's highs and lows.

"He was always positive," Tate said. "I never really saw him say any negative words; there was nothing negative about his demeanor."

Labinjo and Tate played for two head coaches at MSU: Bobby Williams and John L. Smith.

The teammates ended their 2003 senior seasons with an 8-5 record under Smith.

Labinjo earned the team's 2003 Downtown Coaches Club Award as the outstanding senior defensive player.

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Drew Patterson, 40, met Labinjo at MSU while they were both students. The Chelsea, Michigan native describes Labinjo as his best friend.

"The guy had the biggest heart out of anyone I've ever met," Patterson said.

Labinjo had a brief stint in the NFL from 2004 to 2006. He played eight games for the Philadelphia Eagles and two for the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL.com.

Labinjo also made the Miami Dolphins' roster in 2006 when former Michigan State coach Nick Saban, now with Alabama, ran the franchise. Saban recruited Labinjo to East Lansing as a running back.

Before college, Labinjo starred at St. Michael's College School in Toronto. He played football and hockey. The school posted the following message Saturday on its Twitter page:

"The St. Michael’s College School community has been saddened by the passing of Mike Labinjo ‘99. Mike was a star player with the Kerry Blues football programme before joining Michigan State. He had a successful career in both the @NFL and @CFL. Our prayers are with his family."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto also reflected on Labinjo's life. The organization posted Monday morning on Twitter that he "will be remembered not only for his incredible talent, but for his charity work and passion for @bbbsc."

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.