Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

The Iowa State football community is in mourning yet again.

Former Cyclones running back Hiawatha Rutland was found dead in Lake Erie near the vicinity of Whiskey Island on Monday, according to a release from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Medical Examiner.

Rutland was 33.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Rutland jumped from a private boat to swim ashore with his girlfriend. The paper reports that according to authorities, Rutland began to flounder about 90 feet from land.

"Great Cyclone. Great human being with a monster size heart," Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads said Tuesday night. "I was fortunate to be here when he was recruited, fortunate to be here when he played, fortunate to be here when he's come back to this state and this university every year. A funny human being. Kind of guy that would do everything for his teammates. A great friend. Sad day."

Rutland's sudden death is another in a long list of tragedies for the Iowa State football family.

In 2003, former running back Ennis Haywood died after ingesting ethanol and two drugs.

In 2006, former quarterback Cris Love lost his bout with cancer.

In 2008, fans mourned the deaths of former running back Stevie Hicks and linebacker Justin Eilers.

Earlier this year, former defensive end Jason Berryman was found shot and killed. And Cyclones assistant Curtis Bray died of a pulmonary embolism in January.

With Haywood, Hicks, and now Rutland's deaths, Iowa State's leading rushers from 2000-2006 have all passed away. Rutland rushed for a team-high 614 yards in 2002.