Mississippi State offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland died Wednesday, the school announced. He was 18.
No cause of death was immediately revealed. The Clarion-Ledger reported that officers responded to a call at 11 a.m. CT and found Westmoreland dead upon arriving at Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church in Starkville, Miss.
No foul play is suspected. The death is under investigation.
Westmoreland was a freshman. His 19th birthday would have been Friday.
Bulldogs coach Mike Leach was among the school officials who issued statements.
“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.”
Westmoreland was a native of Tupelo, Miss., and attended Tupelo High before joining the Mississippi State program.
“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,” university 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.”
Westmoreland hadn’t seen any action this season.
The No. 24 Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2 SEC) visit No. 6 Alabama (6-1, 3-1) on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
