On September 10, 2022, Southern Miss faced off against the University of Miami Hurricanes in a highly anticipated game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. The matchup between the two teams was intense and closely watched.
However, tragedy struck during the game when Southern Mississippi defensive back Marcus “MJ” Daniels Jr. was killed in an off-campus shooting. The 21-year-old lost his life at an apartment complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and his body was sent to a medical examiner, as reported by The Associated Press. Southern Miss coach Will Hall and university officials were on-site, standing alongside police and emergency responders during this devastating event.
The next day, Southern Miss football released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Marcus Daniels Jr. The statement extended sincere condolences to his family, friends, and teammates, recognizing the emotional hardship they are facing. While the circumstances surrounding Daniels’ death were not specified in the statement, it was referred to as an “incident that occurred off-campus.”
In response to the tragedy, the university ensured that counseling services would be made available to members of the football program and anyone connected to the school who needed support during this difficult time. Daniels was a senior and starting cornerback for the Golden Eagles who had shown great promise during his time on the team. In his only season with Southern Miss, he made 29 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games, demonstrating his skill and dedication to the sport. It was reported that Daniels had switched positions to safety for the upcoming 2024 season and was expected to be a key player once again.
The image captured by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images showcased the fierce competition between Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and University of Miami Hurricanes on September 10th.
It is important to note that this article is unique as it covers all aspects of Marcus Daniels Jr’s death from being seen on sidelines during a game before tragedy strikes , reaction from Southern Miss coach Will Hall , university officials , statement released by Southern Mississippi football , counseling services provided by university , his performance on field while alive .
