Commemorated Michigan fan dies after cancer fight
Former high school football standout and commemorated Michigan Wolverines fan Dametrius “Meechie” Walker died Friday after a two-year battle with osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer, the school announced.He is endured
by his mother, Leona Bell, and child, Kymere.Walker was a standout defensive end at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan and had amassed attention and scholarship offers from Kentucky, Michigan State and a couple of MAC schools. He took pride in that achievement, but his dream was to one day play for Michigan.
“The group, the training staff, simply the way they did things,” Walker told ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski in October. “The way they carry themselves, I just like that about them.”
As Walker was moving closer to his objective of getting a scholarship deal from the Wolverines, his entire world altered. In November 2020, after observing a bump on his knee, Walker was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.He sustained surgical treatment and
nine months of chemotherapy, but the cancer returned in 2021. By April 2021, the growth had actually grown too big and medical professionals amputated his left leg. In spite of the removal of Walker’s tumor and his leg, the cancer continued to spread.The news that the
previous high school football player was defending his life eventually infected the Michigan football team and head coach Jim Harbaugh. The group welcomed Walker to practice on Aug. 13, 2022, to fulfill the group and feel the joy of being a part of the Wolverines program.”Meechie was hurting
so bad that day,”Bell stated to Wojciechowsi.”His whole body was just in unbearable pain and he just smiled like absolutely nothing ever took place. Like he wasn’t even in pain. “His mother called it the wonder of Michigan, stating that his Michigan check out woke him up despite the pain and deterioration he had actually experienced in the subsiding months.Our friend. Our bro. Our teammate.We are heartbroken to learn of the
death of Dametrius Walker.
Meechie was an inspiration to every member of our program and the Michigan family as a whole. He will be missed by so many. pic.twitter.com/jFXEMPFgbp!.?.!— Michigan Football( @UMichFootball)December 9, 2022 He lost 70 pounds and insinuated and out of
consciousness regularly. He was battling every day and told Wojciechowski that he knew he had to be strong for his two-year-old son. “I attempt my hardest to show him that Daddy is in discomfort,”Walker stated at the time.”But Daddy will always love you and I will constantly be here up until the day I die.” Walker was invited to participate in Michigan’s game against Maryland on Sep. 24. Putting on a signed Michigan jersey with his label, Meechie, on the back, he was wheeled onto the field as he was announced over the loudspeaker.The fans had heard his story and knew what it meant for him to be thought about as part of the Michigan team. Wiping tears far from his eyes, he scanned the crowd and waved with over 100,000 fans cheering for him.There’s nothing rather like experiencing a game in the Big Home, and we’re happy to share that experience with Meechie! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ydw8h7XWZ6!.?.!— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 22, 2022 Harbaugh said the group had actually dedicated that game, which they won 34-27, to Walker. He was offered the
game ball in the locker room after the game and the group commemorated the triumph as if he had constantly been a part of the team. Walker lost his battle with cancer on Dec. 9, and an outpour of memories and heartfelt messages were shared on
social media by colleagues, coaches and Michigan players.Punter Brad Robbins tweeted, “Love you Meechie,” with a statement about the loss of his friend.”We lost a real embodiment of what it suggests to be a Michigan Guy. Meechie and I texted weekly about his experience and outlook on life, “Robbins composed. “Whenever he remained in our facility and around our team, he was so positive and always had a substantial smile on his face.
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