When Mississippi State takes to the field Saturday against No. 2 Alabama in a key SEC West clash, the Bulldogs will do so with heavy hearts. They’ll also do so with a very concrete and visual reminder of why their hearts are so heavy.
MSU defensive lineman Keith Joseph Jr. and his father, former MSU defensive back Keith Joseph Sr., were killed in a one-car accident late last week on their way to a local high school football game. Thursday afternoon, MSU players and coaches were among the mourners in attendance for what was a highly-emotional memorial service for their teammate and his father. From the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal:One by one, Mississippi State players removed dog tags from around their necks and placed them on the closed casket lid.
Arm in arm, the Bulldogs embraced with tears falling to form a circle around casket to pray and mourn the loss of fallen teammate Keith Joseph Jr.
One of those mourners was MSU defensive back Jamal Peters, who the school has described as Joseph’s “best friend... and brother.” To that end, Peters announced via Twitter, and MSU confirmed on its account, that he will wear Joseph Jr.'s jersey during tomorrow’s game against the Tide in Starkville.
To honor his best friend, brother and teammate, @JamalPeters21 will wear Keith Joseph Jr.'s jersey tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/v0OtFRLaIh
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 13, 2015
All MSU players will wear a sticker with the initials “MJ” on their helmets to honor Joseph Jr.'s nickname and given name, Marshean Keith Joseph Jr.