KEMPER COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) football player was killed during a crash on August 24, 2025.

According to MGCCC officials, Marcus Dickey, 22, was a transfer defensive lineman from Nicholls State and was coming back to Perkinston for Sunday’s practice after being in Thibodaux, Louisiana, for Saturday’s Nicholls State football game.

“He was doing so good,” said Gulf Coast football coach Jack Wright. “He was the kind of kid who was the first one in the meeting, one of the first guys out at practice, one of the hardest workers in the weight room. He always had a big ol’ smile on his face. He was everything you would want out of a teammate. Everything. He was a very positive young man in every regard. We’re very, very sad as coaches and players. We’re going to play and honor him this week and the rest of the year.”

Counselors will be available for Dickey’s fellow players, the coaches and staff.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Marcus Dickey,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, president of MGCCC. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, teammates, and coaches during this very difficult time. At Gulf Coast, our athletics program is like a family, and we will stand together to support one another through this tragedy. Counseling and assistance will be available to our players and staff as they grieve the loss of their teammate and friend. We ask that you keep the entire Gulf Coast community in your thoughts and prayers.”

Dickey Brothers Memorial Funeral Home in Biloxi is handling the arrangements.