Former Hawkeye football player killed by train in Arizona

Former Iowa offensive lineman Kyle Calloway was struck by a train and killed Saturday while jogging in Vail, Ariz.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette confirmed that the victim was the former Hawkeye in an interview with Calloway's father, Ed.

Authorities found the 29-year-old's body on the tracks, according to a news release from the Tucson Police Department.

Police believe Calloway was jogging westbound on and off the tracks when he was struck from behind by a westbound train around 11 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.

“That (jogging) was what he did for exercise,” Ed Calloway told the Gazette. “He liked to run and it had rained the day before, and the area where he ran was muddy, and so he was going back and forth across the tracks to get out of the mud."

Union Pacific authorities continue to investigate the incident, a spokesman said in an email to the Register on Monday.

Calloway's former Hawkeye teammates mourned his loss on Twitter when news of his death spread Tuesday.

"Deeply saddened to hear that my teammate Kyle Calloway has passed. Please send your prayers and love to his family and friends," wrote former wide receiver Marvin McNutt.

Added linebacker Pat Angerer: "Sad to hear about Kyle. He kicked ass on the field, he kicked my ass many times in practice and he made me better. Rest easy Hawk."

Calloway, who completed his high school career in Bellevillle, Ill., was a three-year starter at tackle for Iowa and was second-team all-Big Ten Conference as a junior in 2008 and a senior in 2009. He stood 6-foot-7 and weighed 315 pounds. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and played in three preseason games for them.

The following season, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens and appeared in two preseason games before his football career ended.

“We are all stunned and very saddened to hear of the tragic accident claiming the life of Kyle Calloway,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in a university news release. “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Kyle’s family and to those who knew him.  He was a valued and respected member of our program.”