LOOK: Mississippi State honors Sam Westmoreland on their home field
The Mississippi State football team has been going through a tough time this season, dealing with the sudden, tragic loss of their teammate, Sam Westmoreland a few weeks ago. College football head coaches from around the country sent their condolences to the Bulldog program and his family, including Alabama head coach Nick Saban. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley also sent the Westmoreland family and the Mississippi State football program a message of support on Twitter. On Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs football Twitter account showed how Mississippi State is honoring their teammate by placing a spot at the 25-yard line with his initials and number on it, “SW 78”.
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Mississippi State freshman football player Sam Westmoreland has died, the school and head football coach Mike Leach announced on Wednesday, Oct. 19. No information on the cause of death was immediately provided.
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Westmoreland, a freshman offensive lineman, came to the Bulldogs from Tupelo, Mississippi. A few weeks ago, Leach shared brief a statement on Twitter remembering Westmoreland.
“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.”
University president Mark Keenum was also quoted in a press release announcing the death, offering condolences and support for the family.
“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,” Keenum said. “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.”
Mississippi State will face off against the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night at 7:30 PM EST. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.