#5. He didn't have a step to lose to begin with so , he left deciding to try to rehab and play at a JUCO or small college which never happened . Is Larry Elder Related to the Late Golf Legend, Lee Elder. The player maintains that Switzer. Marcus Dupree was the most heralded recruit of his time. I can't wait until we go to court. In his second year with the team, which moved to Portland Oregon in 1985, he suffered a devastating knee injury, which all but ended his career. Schumann returning to Georgia, FSU AD: Lagging ACC revenue 'has to change', Harbaugh: Corum to miss spring to rehab knee, The new law changing service academy football, and the coaches pushing back, Realignment chatter: How the Pac-12 holds the key to it all, Connelly on transfer trends: What last season can teach us about 2023, College football's assistants and coordinators to watch in 2023. He returned to professional football in 1990, playing in 15 games over two seasons for the Los Angeles Rams before being waived prior to the 1992 season. Returning in week 8, he played more often and scored his only NFL touchdown that year. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. He left in the middle of his sophomore season and briefly attended the University of Southern Mississippi. helped Favre abuse welfare funds, Winner: 2013 Peabody Award; 2011 Edward R. Murrow Award/Video Investigative Reporting, Covers breaking news, investigative pieces and human interest features. He was never the same. She said, Check with Ken? He also played on Philadelphia High's basketball team, which finished the year with a 334 record and reached the semifinals of the Mississippi state basketball tournament, and played first base and catcher for the baseball team, hitting for a .481 average.[3]. Anyone who got to know Dupree while he was at OU realized he was a good person. Secondly, he married the former Cella Ruth Dupree, the daughter of Rev.. I signed a contract and I did my job," Dupree said. [7] Switzer told Dupree, "If you'd have been in shape, you'd have rushed for 400 yards, and we'd have won the game."[9]. At 5:29 p.m. Monday, Marcus Dupree was feeding his horses in Philadelphia when a text came through: Guilty. I first heard about his legend a few years back and I've found it to be utterly captivating and fascinating. If you look at the evidence, it seems clear the best thing Dupree can do is go pro. many of these athletes are flying. After Dupree had been out of football for four years, he met with Walter Payton on some business ventures and Payton urged him to get back into shape to try out for the NFL again in 1990. Marcus Dupree was one of the most exciting college football prospects of all time. Were all going to have ups and downs. I was shocked when I heard it. He had to leave the game several times, participating in only 34 offensive plays. Dupree was the center of the most heated recruiting frenzy in. He played for the Breakers for two seasons before a knee injury forced him to leave the game. The San Francisco 49ers brought Dupree into training camp in 1992 to play fullback, a position he had never played. The Los Angeles Rams held his rights after drafting him in the 12th round in 1986. It's been a while since a "30 for 30" film got a two-hour running time (most had to come in at an hour, and a handful got an hour and a half to two hours), and "The Best That Never Was . Sports Illustrated has a look at . He also noted the "unreasonableness" of using federal welfare money, intended for job training and assistance for needy families, to help purchase a five-bedroom home and a horse farm for a state-contracted employee. Im just living. He never actually touched the field for the Golden Eagles. [Clarion-Ledger] On March 13, 2020, an article in the Jackson Mississippi newspaper Clarion-Ledger identified $104,974 in allegedly misappropriated TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) that was paid to Dupree for his role as a spokesperson for the charity Families First. He reported to campus late, missed the team photo and put on considerable weight. At Oklahoma, its not fun. White said his office found "limited evidence" Dupree or anyone else ever delivered those sorts of services to the needy. He knows that young football players make a lot of mistakes. "I mentored the kids through the horses by having responsibility, cleaning the stalls, and, if you got good with that, I'd let you ride a horse. Host . A 30 for 30 documentary on Duprees life The Best There Never Was aired on ESPN in 2010. Oklahoma sends several of its alumni, at that time celebrated NFL players, to Mississippi to speak to Dupree. Be patient with the process, he said. In his senior year, he eclipsed Herschel Walkers national high school career touchdown record when he collected 36, giving him a total of 81. Although Switzer was known for running a loose ship, Dupree's lackadaisical attitude was too much for him, and he called Dupree "lazy. Now 52, the former heralded football recruit, whose career tragically vanished almost within no time, has now set foot in thepro-wrestlingring! i wish i could do that.. Ken took that, Dupree said. Marcus Duprees net worth has beenestimatedat $10,000, according to sources. If she's now ill, life has to be doubly tough and would seem to leave Marcus with no choice but to turn pro. In mid-October of 1983, Dupree decides not to return to Oklahoma at all. According to a 2019 state audit, Dupree was paid, in part, for "equine assisted learning," which Mississippi's state auditor, Shad White, told ESPN meant "teaching people how to ride horses.". Why Jimbo Fisher, Quinn Ewers and USC all have plenty to prove in 2023, Five big college football questions to answer this offseason. The father of pistol conner, marcus. Connelly's Conference USA preview: How will four newcomers fit in? "If Mr. Dupree would like to argue that the amounts he was paid were reasonably justified for the number of speeches given and can show proof of the speeches, he will be able to make that argument in a court," White said. Effective 2009 July 1, Reggie Dupre became director of levees for Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.. At the time of his selection by the Levee Board, Reggie Dupre was a Democratic state senator for District 20 (Houma area), to which he was first elected in a special election in . However, he goes on to Oklahoma and is coached by Barry Switzer, who instantly recognizes Duprees talent and skill. I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better, Dupree told OU Daily in 2010. Few athletes have been blessed with the size, power and speed of Dupree. Dupree finds himself overwhelmed by the attention and uncertain of what to do, particularly after his relatives weigh in with their own feelings on the matter. Dupree had not been a product of the Oklahoma system. Is Najee Harris Related to Pittsburgh Steelers Legend, Franco Harris? [7], On January 1, 1983, Dupree's freshman season ended with a 32-21 Fiesta Bowl loss against Arizona State. Coming back from Christmas break, he was out of shape and 10-15 pounds overweight, for which Switzer publicly criticized him. Their conversation was cordial, direct, but brief. The nonprofit that funneled the money to Dupree went as far as to "guarantee the residence through the bank with a six-year lease from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2024," according to the state audit. Once he recovered, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL, but once again, suffered an injury and had to sit out for the first seven games. He signed with Oklahoma and rushed for 1,144 yards and 13 scores as a freshman. College recruiters come out in droves to court Dupree; he estimates that several hundred schools attempted to recruit him. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing. For several days thereafter, his whereabouts are unknown even to his mother. Unfortunately, this is how his career as a footballer ended. Im just waiting on them to give me a call.. At this point, Duprees younger brother Reggie undergoes treatments for his cerebral palsy, which he was born with. In April that year, he asked his former USFL coach, Dick Coury, then the quarterbacks coach for the Rams, if he could work out for the team if he got into shape, and impressed Coury and head coach John Robinson enough to earn a contract. White told ESPN such purchases "would be unallowable because of the prohibition against purchasing real property with TANF funds." Second quarter you may fumble the ball and come into halftime and have to regroup and understand whats going on. The entire team, and by extension the town, takes pride in Duprees accomplishments and abilities; some recount that his presence helped bring townsfolk of all different races together to the stands for a common purpose, something unthinkable at the time of Duprees birth.Dupree attends a high school football game taking place on September 4th, 2009. I don't know what Brett did. "I advised Marcus to stay in school . In 1984, Marcus Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. He finished the season with 179 yards on 49 carries with one touchdown, in eight games played. He finished his first NFL season with 72 yards on 19 carries, in three games played. Marcus L. Dupree (born May 22, 1964) is a former American football player. Dupree was a standout in his freshman season at the University of Oklahoma in 1982, but his career was ultimately hampered by injuries. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. As a result, he was given the starting tailback position over Stanley Wilson and was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week. Tamana Ali-bey 1964-1968. It should be apparent to even the most casual observer that Switzer has done all he can for Dupree. But statements coming out of the offices of the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League Wednesday made it sound as if Dupree will play for them this season. He also finished with 13 touchdowns and was the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 239 yards. He rushed for 2,955 yards in his final year of high school. Last Name: Ricky Adams 1977-1981. Back then, Dupree playing football in school had attracted national attention. The documentary chronicles the life of marcus dupree, perhaps the greatest running back ever in high school football. This comes as a surprise to the other schools vying for his attention, and some suspect that he was coerced into joining Oklahoma. I can't wait until we go to court. The Oklahoma coach, by issuing a statement, simply acted to protect himself and to protect his team's future. He recovers and despite his injury manages to perform well for a game against Kansas State. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? He regrets doing so, and recounts that he was burnt out at the time from the goings-on around him. He said his message is simple. Although Dupree was big at 6' 2", 225 lbs., he was deceptively fast, agile and tough. The concussion leaves him dazed and unable to respond to questions.He returns home to Philadelphia for a time and decides that he cannot return to Oklahoma. He was big, fast, and strong with incredible football instincts. Did that mean Marcus is now more interested in beginning a professional career? His second and final season in the USFL was short-lived after sustaining a severe knee injury. 1n 1985 and 1986, Dupree missed two more years of football with knee injuries he sustained in the USFL. Bornon May 22, 1964, Marcus Dupree grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi. But not me. His friends and teammates are also contacted and bribed into trying to influence Dupree. By his senior year of high school, Dupree retains his speed despite his imposing size, and breaks several records for high school football. A missing persons report is filed, and the FBI launches a search for him. In doing so, he draws attention away from the towns checkered history; the towns schools were integrated in 1970, making Dupree and his class the first children in the county to receive entirely integrated schooling. What did Marcus Dupree . By the time he is in eighth grade, Dupree is already renowned throughout the school district for his prowess, and he is recruited to the high school team early. Alleged haircut has NBA fans in a spin, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Favre has denied wrongdoing. But his name didn't appear with any frequency in the national media until the results of a state audit in Mississippi became public and a lawsuit was then filed by the state in May against Dupree, his foundation and dozens of other defendants. He played in 15 games over two seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, before being waivedprior to the1992 season. Dupree feels ostracized by Switzer, and others believe that Switzers attitude is unnecessary. Despite not starting until the seventh game of the season, Dupree still finished the season with 1,144 rushing yards, averaging a whopping 7.8 yards per carry. ", Dupree, 58, grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where his highlight-reel-worthy performances as a high school running back made him the most sought-after football recruit in the country. Why is the Steelers logo only on one side of their helmets? This time, however, he isn't running for glory or Heisman Trophies. Make no mistake: Mr. Dupree earned the money he was paid, and he never had any reason to believe the money was being improperly spent by state officials," Eichelberger wrote. The following summer, dupree received an icelandic citizenship and as a result his playing time and performance increased with his averages jumping to 11.4 points in 2 He died april 13, 1986, at the age of 42. Dupree said he was not aware the money New had used to pay him had come from misappropriated welfare funds. During week nine of the 1990 season, Dupree made his first appearance and rushed for 22 yards on four carries, wearing number 34 in honor of Payton instead of his usual 22. Its not how long you stay down. His remarkable achievements throughout Philadelphia and Mississippi even inspired a writer named . The injury is severe enough to end his career with the Breakers, and when the NFL declares him eligible a year afterward it is already too late for him to recover. The documentary chronicles the life of Marcus Dupree, perhaps the greatest running back ever in high school football. Text messages show he pressured Phil Bryant, a former Mississippi governor, to obtain $5 million in funds to help build a new volleyball center at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter played the sport. When I recovered from the anaesthesia after my injury and surgery while with the Breakers, I looked up at my Mom. On the front porch at 274 Davis Street one recent afternoon sits Marcus Dupree, sophomore tailback at the University of Oklahoma, blowing up and then popping his bubble gum. Dupree committed to play for Barry Switzer at the University of Oklahoma. This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 13:17. He uses this as an attempt to make a comeback, and he plays in a game against the Giants on November 11th, 1990, making his official NFL debut. The circumstances surrounding Duprees departure from football takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll on him, and at the age of 23 he is described as being like an old man. Around 1989, Dupree comes to believe that he might be able to play football again and begins an intense training regimen, dropping over 100 pounds in the space of a few months. He left Oklahoma at mid-season. All rights reserved. He is carried off the field in a stretcher. In the summer of 1990, Dupree is invited to Los Angeles to attend the Rams training camp. Alumni List. After five and a half years away, he attempted a comeback to the NFL in 1990 with the Los Angeles Rams. After several days Dupree decides to contact his mother and reveal his location. Dupree signed with the USFL, playing for the New Orleans Breakers. 22 for the Crowbar Championship Wrasslin (CCW). At the same time, Dupree comes to feel that he is being treated unfairly and is not being given the same privileges and benefits of the other players, such as preferential housing and monetary compensation. His little brother Reggie was disabled and was unable to run or do activities like marcus or other kids. "If Mr. Dupree would like to argue that the amounts he was paid were reasonably justified for the number of speeches given and can show proof of the speeches, he will be able to make that argument in a court," White said. Did Steph Curry go bald? Most of the parents just wanted them to be around me. Dupree returned to professional football in 1990. Geneva Alexander 1976-1980. 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