Meechie Walker Obituary, Death – Dametrius “Meechie” Walker, a former great football player for the Muskegon Big Reds, passed away on Friday morning. Walker played football with the Big Reds and developed into a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive tackle who was a 3-star prospect. When he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2020, it put an end to his bright career and forced him to retire before his last season. After a two-year battle with the rare bone disease osteosarcoma, Dametrius “Meechie” Walker, a former great football player for the Muskegon Big Reds, passed away on Friday morning.
Walker played football with the Big Reds and developed into a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive tackle who was a 3-star prospect. When he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2020, it put an end to his bright career and forced him to retire before his last season. Despite his diagnosis, Walker continued to be involved in the community by going to Muskegon Big Red football games and cheering on his old teammates from the sidelines. As the illness worsened, Walker’s left leg had to be amputated due to the cancer spreading from his femur.
Walker’s situation caught the attention of the University of Michigan football team, who invited him to watch a practice on August 13, 2022 after learning that he had been a lifetime fan of the Wolverines. Before receiving a handoff from head coach Jim Harbaugh and concluding practice by scoring an honorary touchdown while the team cheered him on, Walker was welcomed by the entire team. Since then, Walker has become an honorary team member after receiving a jersey signed by each member of the Michigan football team and a standing ovation from the crowd on September 24 during a game against Maryland.
The team presented Meechie with the game ball and dedicated the victory to him after defeating the Terrapins 34–27. A few weeks later, the University of Michigan marching band, which was supported by Bill and Janelle Sykes, debuted a new configuration during its halftime show as the Wolverines continued to demonstrate their support for the Muskegon-area teen.
The band members formed the word “Meechie” across the traditional Block M emblem to show their support for Walker, who was in attendance. The University of Michigan football team upset No. 10 Penn State 41-17 in front of a full house at the Big House. Later, head coach Jim Harbaugh gave Meechie the game ball as a token of admiration for his enduring tenacity and endurance in his battle with cancer.