LOOK: Tupelo High football team honoring Sam Westmoreland with helmet sticker

The Mississippi State football team has been going through a tough time this week, dealing with the sudden, tragic loss of their teammate, Sam Westmoreland. 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 Wednesday night. On Thursday, Westmoreland’s old high school football team, Tupelo High in Tupelo, Mississippi decided to honor him by wearing helmet stickers with his name on the back.

He is with us! #SAM pic.twitter.com/LEyNw2TebI

— Tupelo High Football (@tupelofootball) October 20, 2022

While suiting up for Tupelo High, Westmoreland was named to the 2022 Northeast Mississippi Football Coaches Association All-Star Game. He also earned 2-6A second team honors following his senior season. He helped guide them to back-to-back playoff appearances during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Sam Westmoreland dies at 18 years old

Mississippi State freshman football player Sam Westmoreland has died, the school and head football coach Mike Leach announced on Wednesday. No information on the cause of death was immediately provided.

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Mike 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.”

According to the release, Mississippi State and its athletic administration is working with local authorities to “determine the facts of this incident” and won’t provide further comment.

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.