This is just absolutely gut-wrenching news to report as Mississippi State’s football team announced Wednesday that freshman offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland died. He was 19 years old.
“The Mississippi State Athletics Family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland,” head football coach Mike Leach said in a statement. “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.”
Westmoreland hadn’t appeared in a game this season.
The native of Tupelo, MS was majoring in industrial technology. His cause of death was not announced.
Mississippi State president Mark E. Keenum: “One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned while leading this great university is that the tragic loss of one of our students diminishes all of our students—and all of us at Mississippi State feel the impact of Sam Westmoreland’s death. My prayers are with Sam’s family and friends, with his MSU teammates and coaches, and with the Tupelo community during this most difficult time.”
No. 24 Mississippi State will travel with heavy hearts to No. 6 Alabama on Saturday.
