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Dontae Walker, a former Mississippi State Bulldog running back who played in more than 40 games for the team from 1999 to 2002, has died. He was 44 years old, the school announced Saturday.
Mississippi State issued a statement regarding X: “The Mississippi State family mourns the passing of Dontae Walker. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates.”
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Mississippi State Bulldogs (Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
Walker started with the Bulldogs in 1999 and put together a strong freshman season, rushing for 384 yards and three touchdowns. He really stood out in 2000 and 2001, as he rushed for over 1,200 yards with 14 touchdowns throughout those seasons. He also played in the 2000 Independence Bowl, also known as “The Snow Bowl.”
However, Walker’s tenure with Mississippi State came to a tumultuous end when he appeared in just eight games in 2002 and was cut from the team before the end of the year. In the final game of a university student’s career Walker heard the boos from the fans. When he heard his name Then he walked towards the locker room.
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He told Clarion-Ledger In 2013, he wished he could block out the noise for the time being.
“There was more cheering than booing. But when I heard the shouting I couldn’t take it,” he told the newspaper. “I did a lot for Mississippi State by winning bowl games and helping recruit players there. It’s a painful feeling. But I learned from it.”
He finished his career with 1,875 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.
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 of the 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 a bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University in 2013.
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