Heartbreaking news shakes the NFL community tonight as reports confirm the sudden death of a former Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl champion. Teammates and fans are flooding social media with tributes — here’s what really happened.

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Warren McVea, who helped the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship in the 1969 season, has passed away at the age of 79.

Per the Associated Press, Warren McVea’s daughter, Tracey Ellis, announced his passing following “a long illness.” Ellis said that McVea was surrounded by family when he died at his home in Los Angeles, California.

After starring at Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Texas, McVea accepted an offer from the Houston Cougars’ football team. He became the first black player to receive a scholarship to a major Texas school, the AP noted.

In three seasons at Houston, Warren McVea rushed for 1,461 yards and nine touchdowns. He was drafted in the fourth round (109th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, spending two seasons with the franchise before getting traded to Kansas City in 1969.

Warren McVea Played A Key Role In Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV Championship

Jan 11, 1970; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) pitches back to Warren McVea (6) as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller (81) pursues in Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Vikings 23-7. Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

McVea was part of a prolific Kansas City rushing game that racked up 2,220 yards and 19 touchdowns in the 1969 regular season. His 500 rushing yards were third on the team, behind Mike Garrett’s 732 and Robert Holmes’ 612.

In three playoff games, McVea had 16 carries for 39 yards as they went on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings for their first Super Bowl title. This would be Kansas City’s only Super Bowl until they ended a 50-year drought in 2019