Mississippi State football player Sam Westmoreland dies aged 18 with his cause of death unknown

The community at Mississippi State University is in mourning after the sudden passing of freshman offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland at the age of 18. He would have turned 19 this Friday.

Official statements from the university did not indicate a cause of death and said that an investigation into the circumstances are ongoing. 

‘The university is working cooperatively with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, the Oktibbeha County Coroner’s Office, the MSU Division of Student Affairs, and the MSU Athletics Department to determine the facts of this incident and will have no further comment until that assessment is completed,’ read a statement on the university’s athletic department website.

Statements from the president of MSU as well as head football coach Mike Leach expressed their condolences and sadness at the loss of Westmoreland.

Mississippi State freshman and offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland passed away at age 19

In a statement, the university expressed condolences to the Westmoreland family and remembered a student described as ‘a tremendous young man with a limitless future’

‘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,’ said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. ‘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.’

A statement from Head Football Coach Mike Leach said: ‘The Mississippi State Athletics Family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Sam Westmoreland. 

‘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.’

Mississippi State travels to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on the University of Alabama

MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said: ‘We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of Sam Westmoreland. 

‘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.’ 

According to the statement, Westmoreland was a native of Tupelo, Mississippi. 

He was an industrial technology major and a walk-on to the football team after a great high school career.

Mississippi State travels to Tuscaloosa to play the University of Alabama this Saturday.