The NCAA community received shocking and saddening news earlier today. Sam Westmoreland, a freshman at Mississippi State University, and an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs passed away at the young age of 18. Cops found Westmoreland’s deceased body at the Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church, some 4 miles off the Mississippi Campus. He was an Industrial Technology major.
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MSU head coach Mike Leach said, “The Mississippi State Athletics Family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland. 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.”
The freshman from Tupelo, Mississippi, was a walk-on to the Bulldogs team, and was a decorated player from Tupelo High School. While at Tupelo, he played in the Northeast Mississippi Football Coaches Association All-Star Game last year. In addition to that, he also received Region 2-6A second-team honors this year.
Fans all across the sport pay their respects to Sam Westmoreland
It devastated fans to hear about the sudden and untimely death of Sam Westmoreland. Twitter is full of fans expressing their condolences and offering prayers for the Westmoreland family. Some even wanted to contribute in any way they could to the family.
Mississippi State University was deeply saddened to learn of the death this morning of freshman student-athlete Samuel Westmoreland, 19, of Tupelo, Mississippi.https://t.co/cb6YD62bG2
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 19, 2022
So heartbreaking! Prayers for his teammates & family! 🙏
— Jennifer Edwards (@MState1276) October 19, 2022
From Bama fan: So very sorry. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends. RIP, Sam.
— Janet Fincannon 🥋 🐘 (@catperson8) October 19, 2022
RIP Turner Cockrell. That one still hurts.
— Rambling, Gambling, Hell of an Engineer. (@CVRogers36) October 19, 2022
Absolutely, terrible to hear and prayers for the family!
— Transfer Portal (@NCAAPortal) October 20, 2022
Heartfelt condolences from my Oregon Duck family to Sam’s family and friends. Losing a loved one is difficult and I hope his MSU brothers and family lean on each other and help each other through the healing process. RIP Sam 💛
— 💚💛UOMommaDuck💛💚 (@uomommaduck) October 20, 2022
From my Hog family…Love to all his family, teammates, and friends
— Filskyn (@FilSkin4) October 19, 2022
Westmoreland was set to have his first start this season against Alabama in the Bulldogs’ 6th game of the year on Saturday. And he was going to turn 19 this Friday too.
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The Oktibbeha County coroner Michael Hunt talked to the Associated Press about the incident. He says that foul play is not suspected in the unfortunate death, but shared no further details. The County Sheriff’s Office has yet to give any more details.
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