Todric McGee, a safety for the Missouri State University football team, has died. He was 21.
“On behalf of the university and our entire department, we want to express our condolences to Todric’s family, friends and teammates,” MSU’s Director of Athletics, Patrick Ransdell, said in a Saturday, April 19, statement. “This tragedy has shaken our football program to the core, and we want them to know we are here to support them in every way possible at this extremely difficult time.”
According to the university statement, McGee died earlier on Saturday after sustaining injuries at his home. He was taken to a local hospital late on Friday, April 18, and underwent emergency surgery. Further details, including a cause of death, have yet to be revealed.
McGee was a fifth-year senior at MSU and a member of the Bears football team. He was the starting safety for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
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“Our football family is in shock and in mourning at the loss of Todric,” head football coach Ryan Beard said in a separate statement on Saturday. “We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and our MoState football team at this time as we begin the healing process. Join us in praying for Todric and the people who loved him.”
A representative for the Springfield Police later told the Springfield News-Leader that officers responded to a welfare check at McGee’s house on Friday. The athlete had allegedly been found with a “possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.” An investigation into McGee’s death is ongoing.
Before attending MSU, McGee played football for the Wichita Northwest High School team.
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“I am heartbroken to have to share this, but Todric McGee passed away last night,” a social media statement via the team’s X page read. “Please keep his mother, Stephanie, and sister Tahlia in your thoughts and prayers as well as the many family and friends he had. He was an amazing young man with a heart of gold! RIP Todric!”
Todric McGee with mother Stephanie Pope and sister Tahlia Pope. Courtesy of Tahlia Pope/Instagram
Other members of the football community took to social media to mourn McGee’s legacy.
“Todric was an unbelievable human being with the ability to light up any room he walked in! An infectious smile that always made my day when he walked in my office,” MSU’s special teams coordinator, Brad Jarman, wrote via X. “Rest Easy 4. Prayers to his family and loved ones and @MoStateFootball.”
MSU offensive coach Dominic Petrino also spoke out following McGee’s death.
“Loved going against Todric every day in practice,” Petrino wrote via X. “He would always go back and forth with me about the routes I would run on him. Going to really miss that. Such a Great Kid!! So Heartbreaking!!”
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