Morgan State University freshman defensive lineman Marquese Meadow.
Morgan State University freshman defensive lineman Marquese Meadow, a native of Washington, D.C., died Sunday morning, Aug. 24 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to Morgan State Athletics Media Relations Office.
Morgan State Athletics released a statement Sunday via its athletics website, MorganStateBears.com, stating that Meadow fell ill during a team workout session two weeks ago and was hospitalized ever since until his death on Sunday.
At six-foot-2-inches, 300 pounds, reports show the 18-years-old Meadow was heavily recruited coming out of Friendship Collegiate Charter High School in D.C. The Associated Press reported that Meadow had several scholarship offers from different universities but chose to attend Morgan State because his father is an alum of the Baltimore university.
“Marquese was a great young man and a member of this family who was highly respected and loved by his teammates and coaching staff,” said Morgan State head football coach Lee Hull in a statement released by the university. “He was an unselfish kid and had an incredibly bright future and will be deeply missed.”
The football world in Maryland was shook upon hearing the death of Meadow, and many took to Twitter to express their sympathy.
“My prayers go out to the Friendship and Morgan State football families for the loss of a great person and player Marquese Meadow,” said University of Maryland offensive coordinator Michael Locksley, via Twitter.
Former Maryland receiver and current Baltimore Raven Torrey Smith also tweeted his condolence:
“Praying for the family of Marquese Meadow and the Morgan State’s football program.”
Funeral plans have not been finalized but the university and team asked for those paying tribute via Twitter to use the: #MSUMarquese90.