Mississippi State announced the death of freshman football player Sam Westmoreland on Wednesday afternoon.
Westmoreland, 18, graduated from Tupelo High School and was a freshman walk-on offensive lineman and an industrial technology major.
A university news release provided statements from MSU president Mark Keenum, athletics director John Cohen and football coach Mike Leach but did not state a cause of death.
The school said it is “working cooperatively” with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, the county coroner’s office, the student affairs division and the athletics department to determine facts surrounding the incident, adding that it will not comment further at this time.
“The Mississippi State athletics family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland,” Leach said. “Sam was a beloved son, brother and teammate and a tremendous young man with a limitless future. He will always be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him. The entire MSU family mourns as our thoughts and prayers go out to the Westmoreland family. Our highest priority is the support of the Westmoreland family and our student-athletes during this troubling time.”
Quarterback Will Rogers tweeted a statement mourning Westmoreland on Wednesday afternoon.
“RIP Sam. It’s okay to not be okay and we can always do more no matter what is going on. Hail State forever brother. Til we meet again 78,” Rogers said.
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