Dontae Walker, former Mississippi State Bulldogs The school announced Saturday the death of the linebacker who played in more than 40 games for the team from 1999 to 2002. He was 44 years old.
Mississippi State released a statement on the X: “The Mississippi State family mourns the passing of Dontae Walker. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates.”
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Mississippi State Bulldogs (Maria Lysaker – USA TODAY Sports)
Walker got his start with the Bulldogs in 1999 and put together a strong freshman season for 384 yards and three touchdowns. He really took off in 2000 and 2001 running for over 1,200 yards with 14 touchdowns over those seasons. He also played in 2000 Independence bowlKnown as the “Ice Bowl”.
However, Walker's tenure with Mississippi State ended on a rocky note as he appeared in just eight games in 2002 and was cut from the team before the year was out. In the final game of his collegiate career, Walker heard boos from the crowd when he heard his name called. Then he walked to the locker room.
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And he said to Clarion Ledger In 2013 he wished he had blocked out the noise back then.
“There were more boos than shouts, but when I heard the boos, I couldn't stand it,” he told the newspaper. “I did a lot for Mississippi State by winning bowl games and helping recruit players there. It was a painful feeling. But I learned from it.”
He finished with 1,875 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in his career.
Walker's life off the field was derailed when he was arrested for marijuana and cocaine possession in 2005. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison but was released in 2009.
Walker was playing for the Birmingham Steeldogs Arena Football League At the time of his arrest.
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He never had the opportunity to play in the NFL, but he earned his bachelor's degree from Belhaven University in 2013.
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