Report: Legendary Auburn WR Terry Beasley died from self-inflicted gunshot wound

The cause of death has been revealed in the death of legendary Auburn receiver Terry Beasley. According to Carol Robinson of AL.com, Beasley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Terry Beasley, Auburn’s record-setting receiver, dead at 73 in suspected suicide. Police tell me he sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Robinson posted on Twitter.

The Auburn Football Twitter account announced Beasley’s death late Wednesday night. He is one of three Tigers to have their jersey retired. Terry Beasley was 73 years old at the time of his death.

Beasley starred for the Tigers from 1969-71 and wrapped up his legendary career with unanimous All-American honors in 1971. That year, he was the top target for Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, hauling in 55 receptions for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns as Auburn finished 9-2.

The San Francisco 49ers then selected him with the No. 19 overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft. He played in the league until 1975 when injuries forced him to retire.

Beasley was living in Moody, Alabama at the time of his death. Robinson spoke with Moody Police Chief Reece Smith about Beasley’s death.

“Officers were dispatched to his residence around 5:20 p.m. tonight. He was found deceased inside the residence from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. This case is still under investigation and our thoughts are with the Beasley family at this time,” Smith said, per AL.com.

Beasley turned in the biggest season of his career as a sophomore in 1970 when he had 52 receptions for 1,051 yards and 11 touchdowns. That earned him his first All-American selection with a second-team nod, as well consensus All-SEC honors.

Beasley left Auburn as the program’s all-time leader with 2,507 receiving yards and 29 touchdown receptions – both of which still stand. In addition, he also holds Auburn records with eight consecutive games with a touchdown and 12 career 100-yard games.

Beasley dealt with multiple concussions throughout his career, which is why his NFL career ended so prematurely. In fact, he was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the league and said he had “multiple past traumatic brain injuries with symptoms including but not limited to, memory loss, headaches, anxiety and sleeplessness,” according to AL.com. The sides reached a comprehensive settlement in 2016.

Following his retirement, Auburn retired Beasley’s No. 88 jersey. Beasley, Pat Sullivan’s No. 7 and Bo Jackson’s No. 34 are the only three jerseys Auburn has ever retired. He was also elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.