In October 2021, Dupree's lawyer, J. Matthew Eichelberger, sent a sharply worded letter to White. May 28, 2018 at 6:06 am. His second and final season in the USFL was short-lived after sustaining a severe knee injury. He had a quick, spectacular impact on Norman, and that fact did not help the relationship with his coach. He is carried off the field in a stretcher. Dupree had not been a product of the Oklahoma system. After four years away from football, he decided to give the NFL a shot in 1990. 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. What Happened To Marcus Dupree Brother Reggieazusa Pacific University Softball Division. The problem is, its not like high school when Coach (Joe) Wood made it fun. He finally got what he deserved. Marcus was featured on a Sports Illustrated cover in 1983 and his incredible running abilities were often the topic of national news broadcasts. The father of pistol conner, marcus. 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. Why do you have to check with him? Then it sort of hit me, Yeah, why do I always have to check with Ken if I want my own money?, My mama told Ken to his face one day, I may not be around to see it, but youre gonna get yours one day. I thought about that when that rainbow popped out. My dreams were over.. 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. I did enjoy acting, Dupree said. That turns out to be true. 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. 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. As a freshman in 1978, he scored five touchdowns as wide receiver and seven more as a kickoff and punt returner,[1] including a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown on his first play in high school. It is declared that he will never play again, and the money he made with the Breakers soon evaporates, particularly after a series of lawsuits concerning bad loans that Fairley took out. 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. The ramifications of these events last for many years after they transpired. He is an actor and producer, known for fragmented. I have to give . 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. I had the impression before I went to Oklahoma from just watching Coach Switzer on TV, Dupree told Sports Illustrated in 1983, that hes a hard guy and that he treats his players hard. The player maintains that Switzer. 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. Be patient and stay with the process.. He finished his career with 251 yards on 68 carries during regular season play, for a 3.7 yards-per-carry average, rushing for one touchdown. In the middle of his sophomore year, Dupree left and briefly attended the University of Southern Mississippi. 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. That was wrong. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Although his career as a footballer didnt last too long, he sure managed to win hearts all over the country. He is 19 years old and sitting before a cadre of sportswriters from Chicago and New York, L.A., Washington and. ", 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. What happened to marcus dupree little brother? "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. He played in only five games in the 1983 season because of nagging injuries and suffering a concussion against Texas. He feels an extra twinge of regret when the 1985 Oklahoma college team goes on to win the national championship.In the present-day, Dupree visits the house that once belonged to his deceased mother, combing through his old trophies and possessions. Reginald Paul Dupre (pronounced du-PRAY) was born 1957 in Bourg, Louisiana, to Alida D. Naquin and Reggie Dupre Sr. Dupree was late arriving at Breakers' training camp in San Dimas, California that season, but performed well enough to earn a starting position for the season opener at Sun Devil Stadium against the Arizona Outlaws. His football journey was profiled in a 2010 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, "The Best That Never Was.". In 1984, Marcus Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. 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. Marcus Dupree grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and played football for the Philadelphia High School Tornadoes where his spectacular play earned national recognition and admiration. An NCAA spokesman said Wednesday that feat is "legally" impossible. 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. Neal Estano Leaving WNYT: Where Is the New York Meteorologist Going? Nearly 100 schools hotly pursued Dupree's signature before he ultimately landed in Norman, Oklahoma with the Sooners. 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. "Neither Mr. Dupree, nor his foundation, will be making any payment in response to your demand. "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. Dupree said negative press involving Favre in recent months has damaged his own reputation. Dupree committed to play for Barry Switzer at the University of Oklahoma. Five have pleaded guilty. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing Tuesday on ESPN. #5. He played in 15 games over two seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, before being waivedprior to the1992 season. "I'm getting lumped in with whatever Brett Favre and the governor had going on. Dupree attended Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where he played for the Philadelphia Tornadoes high school football team from 1978 to 1981. 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. Dupree leads his team to the Fiesta Bowl on New Years Day of 1983 against Arizona. The chickens finally came home to roost, Dupree said. She kept saying, Something aint right about that guy. As usual, my grandmother proved to be right again.. He also played an overbearing dad of a young football player in the film, Life at These Speeds. He regrets doing so, and recounts that he was burnt out at the time from the goings-on around him. And it would be the best for Barry Switzer and the OU Sooners. When Dupree was questioned about his wrestling career, he said,I just like to make people happy. The USFL is skeptical of this arrangement, and Duprees agents try to sway them with the illusion that he is being considered by the NFL, despite their rules making it extremely unlikely that they would do so. "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. The media interprets this as Switzer blaming the loss at the Fiesta Bowl on Dupree. At this point, Duprees younger brother Reggie undergoes treatments for his cerebral palsy, which he was born with. Darnell Anderson 1976-1980. However, he did not play college football again until 1985 after the NCAA ruled that. The documentary chronicles the life of Marcus Dupree, perhaps the greatest running back ever in high school football. Dupree wasn't attending classes at OU and now he's quit school again. MARCUS DUPREE By John Ed Bradley September 21, 1983 Poor Marcus Dupree. Local law enforcement seems to be complicit in their deaths and covers them up. Brett Favre is not among those facing criminal charges, but, like Dupree, he remains a defendant in the ongoing civil lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi in May. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. I thought I'dmake up the money somehow. 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 can't wait until we go to court. However, his career went awry soon after leaving the University of Oklahoma in 1983. But Dupree insists he did mentor teens at his 15-acre horse farm in Flora, Mississippi. What Happened to ABC7 Reporter Rachel Anderson? It resurrected his popularity. i wish i could do that.. 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.". However, after a federal judge ruled that the eligibility rule violated antitrust law, the Breakerswho had just moved from Bostonquickly persuaded the New Jersey Generals to give up their territorial rights to Dupree (OU was among the Generals' territorial schools) in return for their first-round pick in the 1985 USFL Draft. According to an audit conducted by White's office, $171,000 in TANF money was used as the down payment toward Dupree's home and surrounding property. According to the lawsuit, from August 2017 to September 2019 Dupree was paid $371,000 from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The NCAA ruled that Dupree would have to miss one full season after transferring, meaning he would have to miss the rest of the 1983 season and all of 1984. 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. He was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where his playing in high school attracted national attention. 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 is an actor and producer, known for fragmented. They're the ones who didn't achieve NFL success for reasons of circumstance. He is enthusiastically welcomed by the team and appreciates the attention he receives by them and the fans. Id only met him that one time.. White said his office found "limited evidence" Dupree or anyone else ever delivered those sorts of services to the needy. 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. His second and final season in the usfl was. Despite not starting until the seventh game of the season, Dupree finished with 1,144 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. I never saw a cent of that. He had surgery on the knee and recuperated in Portland, celebrating his 21st birthday with friends and teammates. I can only speak for Marcus. However, he would never play another down for the Breakers. Dupree said he was not aware the money New had used to pay him had come from misappropriated welfare funds. But the one question people always wanted to know: Did Ken Fairley ever go to jail? "I have a lawyer, and I'm just waiting to see how it all pans out," Dupree said. Ken Fairley, a friend of the family, was quoted on Tuesday saying Dupree wanted to play "college football" in '84. Marcus has had difficulty coping with the fact he cannot play college football until 1985 and has talked of the possibility of playing professional football, Jim Carmody, Southern Mississippis head coach, said in a New York Times article in 1984. He has always been willing to offer a second chance. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? I can't wait until we go to court. 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. 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. The state Auditor's Office has issued demands for more than $77 million in welfare funds that were misspent, according to an audit conducted by the office. Marcus Dupree watched the Super Bowl last Sunday in the place where he grew up, the town of Philadelphia, Mississippi. I can only speak for Marcus. Today, Marcus is a 46-year-old part-time truck driver, struggling to get . He has done speaking engagements for Novo Nordisk in the past where he discusses how he manages his Type 2 diabetes. According to the lawsuit, from August 2017 to September 2019 Dupree was paid $371,000 from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. In his senior year, he eclipsed Herschel Walkers national high school career touchdown record when he collected 36, giving him a total of 81. I just figured it was all being put into savings for me. Although I don't want to overdramatize this because I don't know the seriousness of her illness, everything is changed if she's sick.". He left Oklahoma at mid-season. He was picked in the 12th round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, but played. On October 16, 1982, he ran for 158 yards against Kansas, including a 75-yard touchdown run. "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. After that, he started acting like he knew me and that we were friends. ESPN and First Take regular Marcus Spears married to former WNBA player. Among those who were issued demands to return funds are Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, former professional football player Marcus Dupree and former professional wrestler Ted Dibiase Sr. I was 19 years old at the time. It turns out that Marcus indeed called Switzer before he left the Southern Miss campus. In October 2021, Dupree's lawyer, J. Matthew Eichelberger, sent a sharply worded letter to White. Dupree sues Fairley in an attempt to recover some of his money. 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