Mississippi State announced the tragic passing of freshman Samuel Westmoreland on Wednesday. Westmoreland, an industrial technology major at Mississippi State, walked onto the team after an impressive career at Tupelo High.
Later Wednesday night, Nick Saban, the head coach of the team the Bulldogs will kickoff against on Saturday, offered his thoughts and prayers to Westmoreland’s family and the program.
“We’re really saddened to head the passing of one Mississippi State’s players, Sam Westmoreland,” Saban said during his post-practice media conference. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to he, his family, his friends the Mississippi State football team. This is terrible that a young person is not going to be able to enjoy a successful life. But with that, we’re trying to get ready to play a game.”
Mississippi State said in a release that it is working with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, the Oktibbeha Country Coroner’s Office, the MSU Division of Student Affairs and the MSU Athletics Department to gather further information.
“The Mississippi State Athletics Family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland, a freshman student-athlete with our football program,” Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach said in a release. “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.”
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Westmoreland saw several accolades at Tupelo High as he earned a spot in the Northeast Mississippi Football Coaches Association All-Star Game and was awarded Region 2-6A second-team honors in the 2021-22 season.
Westmoreland would have turned 19 on Friday.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
