Mylan Hicks, a former MSU linebacker and current member of the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders, died early Sunday morning in what the team is calling an “act of violence.”

Hicks, 23, played for the Spartans from 2010-2014 and was a three-year letterwinner under Mark Dantonio. Dantonio and a number of current and former players who took the field with Hicks expressed their condolences via social media this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers are with The Mylan Hicks family, as well as his extended Spartan Family, as we learn of this tragic loss. #RIP6

— Mark Dantonio (@DantonioMark) September 25, 2016

God I know you are all knowing & make no mistakes but please just help us to understand why. RIP to my brother Mylan @AlmightyLO6 #6Forever

— Darien Harris (@DHarris_45) September 25, 2016

RIP Mylan love you and will miss you forever man praying hard for your family and all the people you have impacted in your life. pic.twitter.com/58uV95Wzta

— Marcus Rush (@M_Rush44) September 25, 2016

Can't believe he is gone One of the realist people I've ever met #RIP6 pic.twitter.com/hxKpJKbFVa

— Chris Frey Jr (@Cfrey_23) September 25, 2016

Hicks set his career high of 19 tackles in his senior season and chipped in four pass break-ups that season as well. He was also the recipient of the Biggie Munn Award, MSU defense’s most inspirational player in 2014.

Hicks originally was signed to an NFL contract with the San Francisco 49ers in May of 2015 before being cut at the conclusion of training camp. From there, Hicks signed with the Stampeders in May of 2016 and was a member of the practice squad for them.

Hicks was a graduate of Detroit Renaissance High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from MSU in 2014.