All 3 counts., And at that exact moment, a rainbow popped out of nowhere, Dupree said Tuesday. They make a grand ceremony of his signing on March 3rd, 1984 at the Superdome.Dupree plays his first game for the Breakers on March 11th, 1984, and plays well despite still being somewhat out of shape. Sadly, he was cut from the team as his coach, Chuck Knox, thought his performance wasnt up to the mark. Dupree told ESPN he "was shocked" when he learned that Nancy New, the head of one of the nonprofits, the Mississippi Community Education Center, had pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of bribery, fraud and racketeering. Marcus dupree was once the biggest name in the future of football. "I don't appreciate being lumped into something like I took money," Dupree said. In three seasons under head coach Joe Wood, Dupree rushed for 7,355 rushing yards (8.3 yards per carry) and scored 87 touchdowns, breaking by one the national record held at the time by Herschel Walker. He made a comeback with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL mainly so my kids could see me play football, he said. Reggie is happily married and living in Alabama, and Dupree joins a crew cleaning up an oil spill off the coast of Mississippi. Dupree told ESPN he "was shocked" when he learned that Nancy New, the head of one of the nonprofits, the Mississippi Community Education Center, had pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of bribery, fraud and racketeering. In 2010, an ESPN documentary titled The Best That Never Was chronicled Duprees playing career and eventual injury. ',',the man that has a mustache. The five-bedroom, 4,100-square-foot home is valued at just over $1 million, according to the real estate website Zillow. 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. "Since the announcement was made that Marcus was leaving school, a number of pro teams have inquired," Fairley said. It was so bright, it looked like I could step up on it and walk right into heaven.. However, he goes on to Oklahoma and is coached by Barry Switzer, who instantly recognizes Duprees talent and skill. "I advised Marcus to stay in school . In addition, it changes what Dupree should do. Marcus Dupree is in an Oklahoma uniform of sorts again. Marcus dupree was once the biggest name in the future of football. FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs. Were all going to have ups and downs. Host . He plays with the Rams and leads in rushing until 1992, when he is cut from the team. I signed a contract and I did my job," Dupree said. In 1984, marcus dupree signed with the new orleans breakers of the usfl and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. He enjoys the experience, and feels that he finally got some vindication after years of suffering. Few athletes have been blessed with the size, power and speed of Dupree. Unfortunately, this is how his career as a footballer ended. Even with these setbacks, he still managed to run for a Fiesta Bowl record 249 yards, a record that still stands today. "I don't appreciate being lumped into something like I took money," Dupree said. Favre has denied wrongdoing. Barry Switzer did right by Dupree as long as Dupree did right by him. Follow@BillyWatkins11 on Twitter. Shortly after that, he signed the deal with the Breakers. Some of the unfortunate ones were too small. I was shocked when I heard it. Meet the Rumored New Head Coach of the Utah Jazz. 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. 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. You really couldn't blame Switzer for putting the cart before this awesome horse even though Dupree had said nothing about returning to OU, where he began this bizarre tale of wanderlust. He is not sure of his plans at this time, but it is obvious he will not be playing football at U.S.M.. 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. I just figured it was all being put into savings for me. "Marcus doesn't want to play football and he doesn't want to go to college," said the OU coach. After taking a week off, Dupree surprisingly announced he was leaving Oklahoma and would be enrolling at Southern Mississippi. "[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. The Los Angeles Rams held his rights after drafting him in the 12th round in 1986. The Breakers moved to Portland, Oregon for the 1985 season. Even though that sounded preposterous, he might have hit the nail on the head. 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. He had many obstacles in his football career and made him a stronger person. As a result, he was given the starting tailback position over Stanley Wilson and was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week. In 1983, Dupree declared hed be transferring to Southern Mississippi. Did Steph Curry go bald? Fairley, 62, faces up to 25 years in prison. So we drove to Forest and met Ken Fairley. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? Dupree equates life to a football game and hes preaching something he didnt do while he was at Oklahoma. Dupree said he has no intention of paying the state back, as White's office has demanded. This incident serves to escalate the tension between Dupree and Switzer. Few athletes have been blessed with the size, power and speed of dupree. Dupree gives an interview to Sports Illustrated in the summer of 1983 in which he expounds upon his distaste for Switzer and for the University of Oklahoma. But due to his injuries, he had to sit out for most of his games. I signed a contract and I did my job," Dupree said. When Dupree was questioned about his wrestling career, he said,I just like to make people happy. Its not how long you stay down. Dupree feels ostracized by Switzer, and others believe that Switzers attitude is unnecessary. 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. One of my teachers at Philly High said there was someone she wanted me to meet, Dupree said. 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. "I'm getting lumped in with whatever Brett Favre and the governor had going on. In mid-October of 1983, Dupree decides not to return to Oklahoma at all. When you do wrong and just keep doing wrong, the bottom is going to finally fall out. What Happened to ABC7 Reporter Rachel Anderson? He was also the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 239 yards. 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. I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better, Dupree told OU Daily in 2010. 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. While finishing college at the university, he played spring football for the Golden Eagles. After that, he started acting like he knew me and that we were friends. 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. He recovers and despite his injury manages to perform well for a game against Kansas State. MARCUS DUPREE By John Ed Bradley September 21, 1983 Poor Marcus Dupree. #5. "[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. 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. Speaking about his injuries, Dupree said:Thats the injury that eventually forced me out of football. He gained 684 yards on 145 carries with nine touchdowns for a 4.7 yards per carry average. ESPN and First Take regular Marcus Spears married to former WNBA player. I thought I'dmake up the money somehow. "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 documentary chronicles the life of Marcus Dupree, perhaps the greatest running back ever in high school football. 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. (This program contains audiovisual errors. Most of the parents just wanted them to be around me. On April 13, 2018, Dupree's foundation purchased the horse farm and residence in Flora where Dupree lives for $855,000. ", 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. . He had to leave the game several times, participating in only 34 offensive plays. [10], He scored a touchdown on his first professional possession. Everybody around me was sad when I was released, he said. Dupree is also a licensed truck driver with OTR experience. 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. In spite of this, Switzer still puts Dupree on the field and he manages to penetrate Arizonas defense, although the effort takes a toll on him physically. It resurrected his popularity. What happened to Marcus Dupree? He plays his first high school game on September 8th, 1978, and amazes onlookers by scoring a touchdown on his very first play. 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. He was big, fast, and strong with incredible football instincts. Ken Fairley, a friend of the family, was quoted on Tuesday saying Dupree wanted to play "college football" in '84. left his mother, Cella Dupree Connors, and his little brother Reggie, a 10-year-old who was born with cerebral palsy and has already endured 10 operations. Maurice Carthon. I can't wait until we go to court. 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]. 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. It turns out that Marcus indeed called Switzer before he left the Southern Miss campus. And it would be the best for Barry Switzer and the OU Sooners. He said he was trying to put together an advisory unit to help black athletes. Since then he reportedly returns to the ring once or twice a year. His second and final season in the USFL was short-lived after sustaining a severe knee injury. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing. He is known for being a Football Player. In 1983, Dupree declared he'd be transferring to Southern Mississippi. After five and a half years away, he attempted a comeback to the NFL in 1990 with the Los Angeles Rams. Ken took that, Dupree said. 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 . An investigation by Mississippi Today was the first to reveal that the nonprofits that paid Dupree and others either misspent or stole at least $77 million in welfare funds in what's considered the worst public corruption case in state history. He views old footage of his high school games and visits the field where they took place, becoming emotional about the death of his mother, who passed away in 2004. But he didnt give up, and now, hes gone on to become a USWA Professional Wrestler, while also running a sports bar and working in a casino. He recounts his childhood, mostly spent playing football with other neighborhood kids. In October 2021, Dupree's lawyer, J. Matthew Eichelberger, sent a sharply worded letter to White. But I think that rainbow let me know that she heard the news and shes mighty happy that, finally. 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. Switzer was raked over the coals by critics of the college football system. When I got ready to buy my mother a car, I said, Let me check with Ken, Dupree recalled. 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. 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. Sentencing is set for Dec. 19. Marcus was featured on a Sports Illustrated cover in 1983 and his incredible running abilities were often the topic of national news broadcasts. He had two 100-yard rushing games. For several days thereafter, his whereabouts are unknown even to his mother. The game takes place on October 8th, 1983, and Duprees condition takes his toll on him, affecting his performance. Throughout the year, he was injured and often was on the bench watching Buford Jordan take his carries. In 1984, he joined the United States Football League and signed with the New Orleans Breakers. People from Southern Mississippi continue to try to court Dupree, and some try to convince him to leave college and go directly to playing for the NFL. Tamana Ali-bey 1964-1968. What ever happened to Marcus Dupree? Meet the Inspiring NFL On-Air Personality, Who Is Will Hardy? Texas and Oklahoma send their recruiters, Tommy Reaux and Lucious Selmon, to live in Philadelphia full-time until signing day. 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. "I worked too hard on my reputation to do the right thing and be the right person, and I don't like what's going on. "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. I can only speak for Marcus. This becomes something of a semi-common occurrence at Duprees games, and other high school teams try to adjust their strategies specifically to deal with him.By 1981, Dupree is known throughout Philadelphia and draws a great deal of attention to the football scene there. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. He said he preferred running backs who "were a little more well-rounded, could catch the ball coming out of the backfield and could do some of the other things besides run with the football."[15]. Afterwards, Dupree earns his commercial drivers license and becomes a truck driver, aided by Price Jr. and his father. 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. If she's now ill, life has to be doubly tough and would seem to leave Marcus with no choice but to turn pro. Darnell Anderson 1976-1980. He also finished with 13 touchdowns and was the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 239 yards. "But I learned today that Marcus' mother may be ill," said Switzer. But he decided in Dupree's case that he had done all he could for Marcus. He was named second-team All-American, first-team all-Big Eight Conference and Big Eight Newcomer of the Year. Dupree has appeared in regional commercials including Hyundai and was cast in a 2017 feature film, One Mile to You. Where is Michael Oher now, is he still playing football in 2023? 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