Mississippi State announced that football player Sam Westmoreland has died at age 18.
The freshman from Tupelo, Mississippi, was an offensive lineman with the team playing in his freshman season.
“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,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said in a statement.
“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.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The university is working with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and the Oktibbeha County Coroner’s Office to determine what happened to Westmoreland.
“The Mississippi State athletics family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland,” head coach Mike 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.
MISSISSIPPI STATE’S MIKE LEACH DOESN’T CARE ABOUT TOP 25 RANKING
“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 was a walk-on to the Bulldogs program. He was also an industrial technology major at the university after graduating from Tupelo High School.
AP TOP 25 POLL: TENNESSEE CATAPULTS TO NO. 3 AFTER BIG UPSET OVER ALABAMA
Mississippi State is offering student counseling sessions Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for students.
“Mississippi State is a family, and we are all mourning during this trying time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Westmoreland family and everyone who knew and loved Sam,” said John Cohen, MSU director of athletics.
