Dontae Walker, former Mississippi State running back, passes away at 44
Dontae Walker, a former running back who played for Mississippi State from 1999 to 2002, has passed away at the age of 44. Walker was a stalwart for the Bulldogs, earning over 40 starts and notching 1,875 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.
Walker’s tenure with Mississippi State was marked by success, as he helped lead the team to bowl victories in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he eclipsed the 1,200-yard mark with 14 touchdowns. However, his final year with the Bulldogs was tumultuous, as he only appeared in eight games before being cut from the team before the end of the season. In his final game, he was met with boos from the crowd.
Walker reflected on the experience years later, saying he wished he had blocked out the noise. “There was more cheering than booing, but when I heard that booing, I couldn’t take it,” he told the Clarion-Ledger in 2013.
Walker’s personal life took a turn for the worse in 2005 when he was arrested for marijuana and cocaine possession, leading to a 25-year prison sentence. He was released in 2009 and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree from Belhaven University in 2013.
Although Walker never received a chance to play in the NFL, he will be remembered for his time with the Bulldogs and his struggles off the field.