The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing Tuesday on ESPN. He is 19 years old and sitting before a cadre of sportswriters from Chicago and New York, L.A., Washington and. Dupree said he has no intention of paying the state back, as White's office has demanded. [7] Dupree scored his first college touchdown against Texas on a 63-yard fake reverse. Despite not starting until the seventh game of the season, Dupree finished with 1,144 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better, Dupree told OU Daily in 2010. An NCAA spokesman said Wednesday that feat is "legally" impossible. Unfortunately, this is how his career as a footballer ended. All rights reserved. After taking a week off, Dupree surprisingly announced he was leaving Oklahoma and would be enrolling at 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. It never reached the point that Dupree asked if he might be welcomed if he wanted to return to OU to play in the fall, though it turns out he would be athletically eligible if he could become scholastically eligible. Favre has denied wrongdoing. In addition, it changes what Dupree should do. Prominent college football coaches turn up in person to speak to Dupree, and intense competition amongst them is expected. To date, six people have been indicted in the pending welfare fraud case. [17], Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 13:17, murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, "Could Marcus Dupree make another run at pro football? The documentary chronicles the life of marcus dupree, perhaps the greatest running back ever in high school football. He signed with Oklahoma and rushed for 1,144 yards and 13 scores as a freshman. But on Wednesday, Fairley said Dupree simply wanted to "play football" this year. 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. When I recovered from the anaesthesia after my injury and surgery while with the Breakers, I looked up at my Mom. In October 1990, Dupree signed with the Los Angeles Rams, who had drafted him in 1986 in case he became fit again,[11] after a five-and-a-half-year absence from the football field. Dupree attended Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and began his football career as a wide receiver before switching full time to running back as a sophomore. Today, Marcus is a 46-year-old part-time truck driver, struggling to get . The five-bedroom, 4,100-square-foot home is valued at just over $1 million, according to the real estate website Zillow. Dupree was a standout in his freshman season at the University of Oklahoma in 1982, but his career was ultimately hampered by injuries. College recruiters come out in droves to court Dupree; he estimates that several hundred schools attempted to recruit him. Here's what happened to football player Marcus Dupree and where he is now, in 2023. 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. 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. And it finally did for Ken., Asked if he believedFairley will receive the maximum sentence, Dupree answered: He needs to serve his time., RELATED: Jury finds Kenneth Fairley guilty on all three counts. The Oklahoma coach, by issuing a statement, simply acted to protect himself and to protect his team's future. Sadly, he was cut from the team as his coach, Chuck Knox, thought his performance wasnt up to the mark. Why is the Steelers logo only on one side of their helmets? Despite his numerous successes, tension continues between Dupree and the Oklahoma coaching staff, owing to Duprees perceived laid-back attitude and lack of effort during practice sessions. Dupree signed with the USFL, playing for the New Orleans Breakers. On October 16, 1982, he ran for 158 yards against Kansas, including a 75-yard touchdown run. Marcus dupree was one of the most exciting college football prospects of all time. Darnell Anderson 1976-1980. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing. 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.". Is Larry Elder Related to the Late Golf Legend, Lee Elder. He has always been willing to offer a second chance. Dupree does his best to keep in shape, and in early 1984 decides to leave Southern Mississippi in order to sign with the USFL. 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. The medias expectations of Dupree grow to the point where many believe that he would become the first college football player to win the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore year. Marcus strove to do better and work that much harder because Reggie couldn't do the thinks Marcus could. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Coming back from Christmas break, he was out of shape and 1015 pounds overweight, for which Switzer publicly criticized him. On January 1, 1983, Dupree's freshman season ended with a 32-21 Fiesta Bowl loss against Arizona State. It wasin 1985, Dupree earned the starting position for the season opener against the Arizona Outlaws, during whichhe sufferedthat knee injury that ended his career with the USFL. 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. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing. After five and a half years away, he attempted a comeback to the NFL in 1990 with the Los Angeles Rams. Im just living. 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]. Marcus Duprees net worth has beenestimatedat $10,000, according to sources. Ive got grand kids. Dupree returned to professional football in 1990. I don't know what Brett did. Neal Estano Leaving WNYT: Where Is the New York Meteorologist Going? Follow@BillyWatkins11 on Twitter. In his first season at Oklahoma, Dupree didnt get a whole lot of playing time early, but after the Sooners starter 1-2, Dupree got thrown int the mix a little more. [3] For the fourth game Switzer abandoned his favored wishbone offense and made Dupree the tailback in the I formation to take advantage of his skills. 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. "That was news to me. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,850 yards and 28 touchdowns, making it look easy. He finally got what he deserved. 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. 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. Why do the Jacksonville Jaguars say Duval? His efforts work to reverse Oklahomas losing streak, earning him numerous accolades and great notoriety. Although his career as a footballer didnt last too long, he sure managed to win hearts all over the country. 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. Feb 14, 2009. In 1984, marcus dupree signed with the new orleans breakers of the usfl and had a pretty good season, scoring nine touchdowns. In 1991, Dupree missed the first seven games due to a toe injury suffered in practice. Have something to tell us about this article? 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. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? He hastily issued a statement through the sports publicity office at the University of Oklahoma that said, in effect, Marcus Dupree will not be back to play football for the Sooners. Dupree was a standout in his freshman season at the University of Oklahoma in 1982, but his career was ultimately hampered by injuries. At this point, Duprees younger brother Reggie undergoes treatments for his cerebral palsy, which he was born with. Texas and Oklahoma send their recruiters, Tommy Reaux and Lucious Selmon, to live in Philadelphia full-time until signing day. 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. When Dupree was questioned about his wrestling career, he said,I just like to make people happy. The reason Marquez did not stay or play was because he blew his knee apart during the 1st week of Fall camp . This incident serves to escalate the tension between Dupree and Switzer. Marcus is thought to live with girlfriend, Kim, and enjoys spending time with his family. When I got ready to buy my mother a car, I said, Let me check with Ken, Dupree recalled. In hindsight, you keep going back to a statement that Switzer made when Dupree left OU. 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. In 1983, Dupree declared hed be transferring to Southern Mississippi. 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 . After a year and one half of college, he has only 24 credit hours. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. ", 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? 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. He left Oklahoma at mid-season. D. At 5:29 p.m. Monday, Marcus Dupree was feeding his horses in Philadelphia when a text came through: Guilty. Whether he will find still another NCAA school, transfer to a small college where he can play football this fall, or whether he will turn pro. Ultimately the knee injury prevented him from making enough of an impact and he was released by the Rams after the 91 season. Today, marcus dupree is said to have a net worth of $10,000, according to celebrity net worth.the primary source of the retired star',s net worth is his earnings from a career as a. My signing bonus was $300,000. As a junior in 1980, he rushed for 2,550 yards and scored 34 touchdowns (25 rushing, 9 by kick return). The monthly lease payments for the property totaled $9,500, the audit states. This comes as a surprise to the other schools vying for his attention, and some suspect that he was coerced into joining Oklahoma. Dupree broke many records in both high school and college. 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. But the one question people always wanted to know: Did Ken Fairley ever go to jail? These and other payments are now under criminal investigation. 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.". 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. 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 got off to a good start, rushing 69 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown. 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 is carried off the field in a stretcher. Speaking about his decision to leave Oklahoma, Dupree said in 2010: I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better. Second quarter you may fumble the ball and come into halftime and have to regroup and understand whats going on. Im just waiting on them to give me a call.. Even though that sounded preposterous, he might have hit the nail on the head. 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. This change in play style pays off, as Dupree utilizes it to achieve touchdowns. 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. marosa o, The Best Marcus Dupree Brother Reggie Died Ideas . But my grandmother told me from the start that she didnt like Ken and didnt trust him. 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. If marcus duprees story was a fairy tale, it would read like this: Dupree was the center of the most heated recruiting frenzy in. Reggie is happily married and living in Alabama, and Dupree joins a crew cleaning up an oil spill off the coast of Mississippi. 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. [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]. Man if she was here today I cant even imagine what Cella Ruth would be saying. According to the lawsuit, from August 2017 to September 2019 Dupree was paid $371,000 from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. However, once he enrolls in Southern Mississippi, he is informed that his eligibility to play in the remainder of the 1983 season and the entire 1984 is uncertain. Hes happy with his life and doesnt look back. Also on the porch. Coming back from Christmas break, he was out of shape and 10-15 pounds overweight, for which Switzer publicly criticized him. Dupree equates life to a football game and hes preaching something he didnt do while he was at Oklahoma. He is plagued by anxiety, and on February 25th, 1985, Dupree suffers a terrible knee injury during his starting game. His reaction was immediate, and under the circumstances, understandable for a man who had just panicked. Marcus played spring football for the Golden Eagles and finished college at the university. [16], Dupree has three sons, Marquez, Landon and Rashad. Looking back at it all, Dupree regrets leaving Oklahoma. As a junior, Dupree upped his rushing yards to 2,550 and had 34 touchdowns. 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