Mississippi State offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the university announced. Westmoreland, a freshman from Tupelo, Mississippi, was 18 at the time and would have turned 19 on Friday.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Capt. Brett Watson told NBC affiliate WTVA in Tupelo that Westmoreland was discovered late Wednesday morning at a church in Starkville.
Mississippi State said in a statement that it is working with the sheriff’s and coroner’s offices in Oktibbeha County to gather information about the incident. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
“The Mississippi State Athletics Family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland,” said Mississippi State coach Mike Leach in a statement. “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.”
Bulldogs starting quarterback Will Rogers posted the following tweet in response to Westmoreland’s passing: