Auburn lost a legend Wednesday night former wide receiver and College Football Hall of Fame member Terry Beasley died in his Moody home, AL.com confirmed local officials. He was 73.

The news was sudden and tragic. Beasley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police told AL.com. Moody Police Chief Reece Smith said Beasley’s death is being investigated as a potential suicide.

Beasley was born in Montgomery and played at Auburn from 1969 to 1971 alongside Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan. Beasley was drafted in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft and played from 1972-1975 with the San Francisco 49ers.

“He would tell Pat, ‘You throw it, I’ll get it,’” former Auburn athletic director and sports information director David Housel told Auburn senior writer Jeff Shearer in an article posted to Auburn’s football website Thursday morning. “That’s the way it was. He’d run under it and make impossible catches.”

Former teammate Terry Henley described Beasley’s muscular build and “reddish-golden” hair in the article. He said Beasley’s hands were small, but no defender would be able to pull the ball away from him. He said Beasley could still play in “the offenses they run today.”

“Pat Sullivan was the leader, the quarterback, the Heisman Trophy winner, but the guy who made that whole passing game go was Beasley,” Housel said in the story. “He is an Auburn legend. He is the standard by which all other Auburn receivers will be measured.

“They can look at that No. 88 that’s retired,” Henley said in Shearer’s story. “Some of the greatest plays in Auburn history were made by that red-headed guy wearing that No. 88. He was a special guy.”

Several other Auburn figures responded to Beasley’s death with posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, including legendary running back Bo Jackson.

Beasley’s death came just one day before the 51st anniversary of his selection in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft. His death came less than a week before his 74th birthday.

Beasley’s professional career was cut short by injuries, including concussions.

Beasley is still the Tigers’ career leader in receiving yards (2,507) and receiving touchdowns (29).

Auburn retired his No. 88 jersey. The number is one of only three retired by Auburn football. The others are Sullivan’s No. 7 and Jackson’s No. 34

Beasley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His Hall of Fame bio calls Beasley and former Auburn Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan “one of college football’s greatest pass combinations.”

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]