If marcus duprees story was a fairy tale, it would read like this: Dupree was the center of the most heated recruiting frenzy in. However, Dupree suffered a career-threatening knee injury in the first game of the 1985 season for the Breakers and doctors said hed never play football again. Marcus dupree was one of the most exciting college football prospects of all time. Dupree, the top high school prospect in the nation out of Philadelphia High School in the1982 signing class, has long contended Fairley took a large share of Duprees five-year, $6 million contract with the New Orleans Breakers in 1984. I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better, Dupree told OU Daily in 2010. One of Duprees teammates is Cecil Price Jr., the son of the deputy sheriff convicted for his involvement in the deaths of the three civil rights workers in 1964. Did Steph Curry go bald? Dupree was placed on injured reserve, meaning he would have to sit out for four weeks before he could play for the Rams.[12]. It was costing me so much in legal fees that I just said to forget it. I know I shouldnt have left [OU], but I still love Oklahoma and I still love watching [the Sooners] play.. In February of 2020, agents from the State Auditor's Office arrested Nancy New, her son Zach New, Davis, retired wrestler Brett DiBiase, agency employee Latimer Smith, and nonprofit accountant Ann. 57. Dupree and Fairley have been at odds for some time now after the former Oklahoma football star alleged that Fairley cheated him out of millions of dollars in the 1980's. Dupree sued Fairley for. "I advised Marcus to stay in school . Maybe even ready for the NFL at that age."[7]. To date, six people have been indicted in the pending welfare fraud case. He is enthusiastically welcomed by the team and appreciates the attention he receives by them and the fans. ). Sports Illustrated has a look at . At 5:29 p.m. Monday, Marcus Dupree was feeding his horses in Philadelphia when a text came through: Guilty. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. But it has done one thing: the American public should finally realize that the University of Oklahoma wasn't totally to blame for what happened while he was there. ", "Marcus Dupree's doc; Howard Stern's most wanted sports guests", "Twenty years after leaving OU,'people still remember me', "PRO FOOTBALL; Dupree Is Taken by Surprise as Rams Let Rusher Go", "EXPLAINER: Favre, other sports figures in welfare fraud case", "Marcus Dupree's documentary; Howard Stern's most wanted sports guests", College and Pro Statistics @ totalfootballstats.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marcus_Dupree&oldid=1140304379. Marcus Dupree was the most heralded recruit of his time. Dupree played in four games in his sophomore season and suffered a concussion against the University of Texas. A Mississippi Department of Human Services initiative called Families First for Mississippi, run by two nonprofits, illegally funneled the federal welfare money to Dupree, the lawsuit states, in exchange for his work as a "celebrity endorser" and "motivational speaker.". He never actually touched the field for the Golden Eagles. 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. It would be best for him. What has seldom been exaggerated in the stories produced by the marvelous high school career of Marcus Dupree is the scope of his talents. Dupree is also a licensed truck driver with OTR experience. "[10] Hampered by injuries, Dupree gained 369 yards on 61 carries with three touchdowns while playing in four of the first five games of the season. Afterwards, Dupree earns his commercial drivers license and becomes a truck driver, aided by Price Jr. and his father. After several days Dupree decides to contact his mother and reveal his location. I was still being recruited by schools from all over the country. Well see. He recounts that his father, long after being released from prison, takes great interest in the high school football games and becomes one of Duprees fans. 1n 1985 and 1986, Dupree missed two more years of football with knee injuries he sustained in the USFL. #5. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He also wrote that Dupree could have been the greatest running back of all time. who was 'jumping up and down and cheering as hard as anyone ain't that a kick in the pants?' He had a quick, spectacular impact on Norman, and that fact did not help the relationship with his coach. 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. 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. Switzer wishes to avoid playing favorite and becomes known for criticizing elements of Duprees play style. 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. He plays with the Rams and leads in rushing until 1992, when he is cut from the team. Shortly after that, he signed the deal with the Breakers. What Happened to ABC7 Reporter Rachel Anderson? But Dupree insists he did mentor teens at his 15-acre horse farm in Flora, Mississippi. He also ran a sports bar and worked as a casino-greeter for a short period of time. He also competed in track & field, recording a 4.29 40-yard dash. In 1984, Marcus Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. College recruiters come out in droves to court Dupree; he estimates that several hundred schools attempted to recruit him. If you look at the evidence, it seems clear the best thing Dupree can do is go pro. During his post-playing days, Dupree maintained local-celebrity status within his home state, frequently appearing at public functions or events staged through his foundation. First quarter, you may score two touchdowns. Follow@BillyWatkins11 on Twitter. He appeared headed for a long career in the National Football League. I can't wait until we go to court. Maurice Carthon. 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 rushed for 2,955 yards in his final year of high school. A highly touted and sought-after college football recruit, he played at Oklahoma, where he was named Football News Freshman of the Year, second-team All-American and Big Eight Conference Newcomer of the Year. "[6], Dupree was heavily recruited by the major college football programs, and during the final month of the recruiting period, his high school coach, Joe Wood, answered more than 100 phone calls a day from colleges. ", Dupree decries Favre comparison in fraud case, The Turnover Luck Index: Rating every 2022 team, from USC to Rutgers, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? However, he discovers that he is being cheated out of his salary by his agent Ken Fairley; Fairley has power of attorney and keeps intercepting Duprees paychecks under the pretense of investing them. Even though that sounded preposterous, he might have hit the nail on the head. I didn't even know about that, nothing. Marcus Dupree, who rose to fame in Mississippi and beyond after a brief but impressive football career that became the subject of an ESPN documentary, is speaking out about his alleged role in a . What happened to Marcus Dupree? I did enjoy acting, Dupree said. Contact Billy Watkins at 769-257-3079 orbwatkins@jackson.gannett.com. He is carried off the field in a stretcher. Dupree's defection after the Texas game last October doomed the '83 OU season to mediocrity, and the slightest hint that he might return for '84 could have a devastating effect on the high school players the Sooners are trying to recruit for next season. He started his first game in week 16 and rushed for 42 yards on 13 carries. Dupree committed to play for Barry Switzer at the University of Oklahoma. I was shocked when I heard it. ESPN and First Take regular Marcus Spears married to former WNBA player. Dupree leads his team to the Fiesta Bowl on New Years Day of 1983 against Arizona. Barry Switzer heard the news Tuesday morning that Marcus Dupree had dropped out of school at Southern Mississippi. He receives several injuries and has to be sidelined at several points during the game; even out of condition he manages to set a Fiesta Bowl records for rushed yards, a record which still stands. Local law enforcement seems to be complicit in their deaths and covers them up. Many label him as the greatest running back to ever play college football. In 1984, Marcus Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. Dupree said he was not aware the money New had used to pay him had come from misappropriated welfare funds. After he was released by the Rams, Dupree performed as a professional wrestler for the USWA in 1995. Coming back from Christmas break, he was out of shape and 1015 pounds overweight, for which Switzer publicly criticized him. He wanted me to sign with Southern (Mississippi). "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. The team gets off to a bad start, and Dupree suffers a leg injury during a game which takes him out of commission for a time. Marcus Dupree. They're the ones who didn't achieve NFL success for reasons of circumstance. Marcus Dupree, a Mississippi football legend, denies that he defrauded the state's welfare system and is "shocked" to be "lumped in" with Brett Favre in the fraud investigation's findings. It's the story of Marcus Dupree, who was one of the most famously recruited high school football players of his generation. Their conversation was cordial, direct, but brief. Marcus Dupree and OU coach Barry Switzer didnt have the best of relationships. 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. Marc Connolly from ABC Sports Online, aptly said, For everyMarcus Allen,Barry SandersorEmmitt Smith, theres anAnthony Thompson, aPaul Palmerand aLeShon Johnson, guys who never matched their college success in the NFL. . He instead decided to go pro with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL in 1984, signing a five-year deal for $6 million at the age of 19. He left Oklahoma at mid-season. I don't know what Brett did. Geneva Alexander 1976-1980. Some of the unfortunate ones were too small. He recounts his childhood, mostly spent playing football with other neighborhood kids. He is an actor and producer, known for fragmented. His remarkable achievements throughout Philadelphia and Mississippi even inspired a writer named . Marcus dupree was once the biggest name in the future of football. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? Reggie is happily married and living in Alabama, and Dupree joins a crew cleaning up an oil spill off the coast of Mississippi. When you do wrong and just keep doing wrong, the bottom is going to finally fall out. Heres what happened to football player Marcus Dupree and where he is now, in 2023. At one point in the game he suffers a terrible concussion from a tackle and is sidelined for the remainder of the game. He is an actor and producer, known for fragmented. Dupree sues Fairley in an attempt to recover some of his money. Dupree comes back from break slightly overweight and out of condition, annoying Switzer since Arizona is noted as having the best rush defense in the country. Dupree said he wasnt having much fun. He becomes a factor in the recruitment negotiations, and he advises Dupree to join the University of Southern Mississippi, as he feels they wanted him more and would do more than other schools to ensure his safety and success.In January 1982, Dupree narrows his choices down to three: Oklahoma, Texas, and Southern Mississippi. He left in the middle of his sophomore season and briefly attended the University of Southern Mississippi. The five-bedroom, 4,100-square-foot home is valued at just over $1 million, according to the real estate website Zillow. What Happened To Marcus Dupree Brother Reggieazusa Pacific University Softball Division. The chickens finally came home to roost, Dupree said. He was never the same. 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. The Best Marcus Dupree Brother Reggie Died Ideas. Hopefully, Ill have a couple of more (movies) coming up pretty soon. White said his office found "limited evidence" Dupree or anyone else ever delivered those sorts of services to the needy. Marcus Dupree, who rose to fame in Mississippi and beyond after a brief but impressive football career that became the subject of an ESPN documentary, is speaking out about his alleged role in a sprawling welfare fraud case that has also entangled Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Brett Favre and dozens of others. There is no doubting the Sooners got a black eye over this. Several days later, Dupree confides in his friends that he feels he has made a terrible mistake in joining Oklahoma. Ken Fairley, a friend of the family, was quoted on Tuesday saying Dupree wanted to play "college football" in '84. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. As a junior in 1980, he rushed for 2,550 yards and scored 34 touchdowns (25 rushing, 9 by kick return). Speaking about his injuries, Dupree said:Thats the injury that eventually forced me out of football. Among all his other great runs, he also had a 77-yard punt return against Colorado, an 80-yard run against Kansas State, a 70-yard run against Missouri and an 86-yard run against Nebraska. Briefly attended the University of Oklahoma fees that i just said to forget it as hard as ai! Football with knee injuries he sustained in the pending welfare fraud case being by. In 2023 was released by the Rams and leads in rushing until 1992, when he is an actor producer... Of high school career of Marcus Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of game! 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