Dupree said he was not aware the money New had used to pay him had come from misappropriated welfare funds. Obviously, since Dupree now has left the Southern Miss campus, which was within easy weekend driving distance of his hometown of Philadelphia, the problem wasn't that Switzer was too tough on him, or the "different" people of Oklahoma and the press made his life difficult. But I think that rainbow let me know that she heard the news and shes mighty happy that, finally. He left Oklahoma at mid-season. But not me. He later found to have had a role in the Mississippi welfare funds scandal. . Several days later, Dupree confides in his friends that he feels he has made a terrible mistake in joining Oklahoma. Favre has denied wrongdoing. When I recovered from the anaesthesia after my injury and surgery while with the Breakers, I looked up at my Mom. His little brother Reggie was disabled and was unable to run or do activities like marcus or other kids. He was also the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 239 yards. Im in pretty good spirits with that, he said. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. The superstar that he did not become and the man he is today are the subject of a new documentary airing Tuesday on ESPN. [7], When Dupree arrived at the University of Oklahoma in 1982, head coach Barry Switzer said, "He was the best player on the field. In 2011, Dupree was diagnosed with prostate cancer but recovered. Marcus Dupree was one of the most heavily recruited high school football stars in American history. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I thought I'dmake up the money somehow. As a junior, Dupree upped his rushing yards to 2,550 and had 34 touchdowns. But he decided in Dupree's case that he had done all he could for Marcus. The Oklahoma coach says he has no idea what Marcus will do. The entire team, and by extension the town, takes pride in Duprees accomplishments and abilities; some recount that his presence helped bring townsfolk of all different races together to the stands for a common purpose, something unthinkable at the time of Duprees birth.Dupree attends a high school football game taking place on September 4th, 2009. 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. 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. "That was news to me. Why Jimbo Fisher, Quinn Ewers and USC all have plenty to prove in 2023, Five big college football questions to answer this offseason. It was so bright, it looked like I could step up on it and walk right into heaven.. "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. They're the ones who didn't achieve NFL success for reasons of circumstance. marosa o, The Best Marcus Dupree Brother Reggie Died Ideas . He ran for 249 yards in the Fiesta Bowl, despite being overweight and out of shape. White told ESPN such purchases "would be unallowable because of the prohibition against purchasing real property with TANF funds." I then looked down at my knee and, literally, tore the cast off. ", 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? 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. But you'll also find a select few individuals who had all the tools. If there was anyone in the history of . Hopefully, Ill have a couple of more (movies) coming up pretty soon. After suffering a concussion in a loss against Texas, he vanished for a week. Ultimately the knee injury prevented him from making enough of an impact and he was released by the Rams after the 91 season. The player maintains that Switzer. Dupree provided ESPN several photos of what appear to be teenage boys, whom he says he mentored at his stables in Flora, as well as photos from numerous public appearances. Such was the case with Marcus Dupree, a star running back who lit the college football scene on fire as a freshman in 1982. Most of the parents just wanted them to be around me. BIOG: NAME: 2023 www.oklahoman.com. Dupree said he was not aware the money New had used to pay him had come from misappropriated welfare funds. In two seasons (1990-91), he rushed 68 times for 251 yards and a touchdown. 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. There are few college coaches in America with a more forgiving heart than Switzer. There was such a lack of communication. A lawsuit filed in May by the Mississippi Department of Human Services alleges Dupree was illegally paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal welfare money that was intended for the state's neediest families. It's been a while since a "30 for 30" film got a two-hour running time (most had to come in at an hour, and a handful got an hour and a half to two hours), and "The Best That Never Was . Dupree signed with the USFL, playing for the New Orleans Breakers. One relative, his uncle Curlee, is offered jobs and money by various coaches, and feels that he cannot ignore such offers. who was 'jumping up and down and cheering as hard as anyone ain't that a kick in the pants?' Be patient and stay with the process.. 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. "Neither Mr. Dupree, nor his foundation, will be making any payment in response to your demand. Oklahoma faces their rivals, Texas, and he attempts to play despite his injured condition as a response to challenges leveled at him from some of the Texas players. He is carried off the field in a stretcher. After the first three games of the season, Dupree had just twelve carries for 20 yards and the Sooners' record was 12. Marcus Dupree was a national star as a freshman running back at the University of Oklahoma in 1982. I did enjoy acting, Dupree said. 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. He rushed for 2,955 yards in his final year of high school. He is an actor and producer, known for fragmented. Even with these setbacks, he still managed to run for a Fiesta Bowl record 249 yards, a record that still stands today. After four years away from football, he decided to give the NFL a shot in 1990. Heres what happened to football player Marcus Dupree and where he is now, in 2023. 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. Marcus dupree was once the biggest name in the future of football. But the one question people always wanted to know: Did Ken Fairley ever go to jail? Everybody around me was sad when I was released, he said. ", "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. These and other payments are now under criminal investigation. However, he is not bothered by the decision, feeling that he accomplished what he set out to do. He finally got what he deserved. In the middle of his sophomore year, Dupree left and briefly attended the University of Southern Mississippi. Barry Switzer heard the news Tuesday morning that Marcus Dupree had dropped out of school at Southern Mississippi. Alleged haircut has NBA fans in a spin. Dupree said he has no intention of paying the state back, as White's office has demanded. Dupree told Barr he "was shocked" to learn Nancy New, head of one of the non-profits in charge of Families First, pleaded guilty to federal and state bribery and fraud charges earlier this year. Ken is going to pay for some of the things hes done., Dupree filed suit against Fairley during the late 1980s, but I didnt see it through. 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 . 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. In October 2021, Dupree's lawyer, J. Matthew Eichelberger, sent a sharply worded letter to White. And it would be the best for Barry Switzer and the OU Sooners. Who Is Kimmi Chex? If marcus duprees story was a fairy tale, it would read like this: Dupree was the center of the most heated recruiting frenzy in. By: Aliya Khan - Published: October 18, 2017 at 12:56 pm | Last Updated: D. This incident serves to escalate the tension between Dupree and Switzer. 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. Marcus Dupree was one of the most exciting college football prospects of all time. Dupree said he wasnt having much fun. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. 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. When he resurfaced in Mississippi, he announced he was leaving OU and transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi. On April 13, 2018, Dupree's foundation purchased the horse farm and residence in Flora where Dupree lives for $855,000. "I'm getting lumped in with whatever Brett Favre and the governor had going on. [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]. Switzer was on Dupree about his weight and sometimes called him out for being lazy. He played for the Breakers for two seasons before a knee injury forced him to leave the game. Speaking about his decision to leave Oklahoma, Dupree said in 2010: I wish (Barry Switzer) would have treated me a little bit better. Marcus Duprees net worth has beenestimatedat $10,000, according to sources. [7], On January 1, 1983, Dupree's freshman season ended with a 32-21 Fiesta Bowl loss against Arizona State. i wish i could do that.. ',',the man that has a mustache. 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. Dupree came home to Mississippi and enrolled at USM. That turns out to be true. The Breakers moved to Portland, Oregon for the 1985 season. In hindsight, you keep going back to a statement that Switzer made when Dupree left OU. Dupree does his best to keep in shape, and in early 1984 decides to leave Southern Mississippi in order to sign with the USFL. The monthly lease payments for the property totaled $9,500, the audit states. "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 dont know.. Darnell Anderson 1976-1980. Despite not starting until the seventh game of the season, Dupree finished with 1,144 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. One of my teachers at Philly High said there was someone she wanted me to meet, Dupree said. As a result, he was given the starting tailback position over Stanley Wilson and was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week. On Wednesday, Dupree denied wrongdoing in an interview with ESPN. Marcus Dupree is in an Oklahoma uniform of sorts again. In the middle of his freshman season with the Sooners, he broke out with a 158-yard effort against Kansas and got stronger from there. 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.". His reaction was immediate, and under the circumstances, understandable for a man who had just panicked. Marcus' younger brother, Reggie, has had serious physical problems since birth. He has always been willing to offer a second chance. I'm passionate about what we did, and for the state to be talking about 'Oh, none of that happened,' yes it did," Dupree said. 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. 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. After taking a week off, Dupree surprisingly announced he was leaving Oklahoma and would be enrolling at Southern Mississippi. He knows that young people make mistakes. . . 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. 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. "[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. But that he followed some bad advice. 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. Man if she was here today I cant even imagine what Cella Ruth would be saying. I think Ill play this year, but it could be my last. 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. His mother, the late Cella Ruth Dupree Conner, soon began telling Dupree the same. Ken took that, Dupree said. 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. "Neither Mr. Dupree, nor his foundation, will be making any payment in response to your demand. He made a comeback with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL mainly so my kids could see me play football, he said. A quick check of the numbers shows he rushed for 5,284 yards in three seasons and scored 87 touchdowns, breaking Walker's mark with the final carry of his career. What did Marcus Dupree . Reggie is happily married and living in Alabama, and Dupree joins a crew cleaning up an oil spill off the coast of Mississippi. Meet the Rumored New Head Coach of the Utah Jazz. 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. Did that mean Marcus is now more interested in beginning a professional career? Reggies disability weighs heavily on Duprees conscience, and he hopes that his football talents can earn him enough to afford costly treatments for Reggie. He won the Big 8 Newcomer of the Year Award, was named to APs All-Big Eight First Team and UPI placed him on their All-Big Eight Second Team. The monthly lease payments for the property totaled $9,500, the audit states. I can't wait until we go to court. Unfortunately, this is how his career as a footballer ended. Geneva Alexander 1976-1980. I first heard about his legend a few years back and I've found it to be utterly captivating and fascinating. 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. After a year and one half of college, he has only 24 credit hours. In 2023, Marcus Dupree is a motivational and inspirational speaker who travels doing speaking engagements. 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