Former high school football standout and celebrated Michigan Wolverines fan Dametrius “Meechie” Walker died Friday after a two-year battle with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, the school announced.
He is survived by his mother, Leona Bell, and son, Kymere.
Walker was a standout defensive end at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan and had garnered attention and scholarship offers from Kentucky, Michigan State and a few MAC schools. He was proud of that accomplishment, but his dream was to one day play for Michigan.
“The team, the coaching staff, just the way they did things,” Walker told ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski in October. “The way they carry themselves, I just love that about them.”
As Walker was moving closer to his goal of receiving a scholarship offer from the Wolverines, his entire world changed. In November 2020, after noticing a bump on his knee, Walker was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He endured surgery and nine months of chemotherapy, but the cancer returned in 2021. By April 2021, the tumor had grown too large and doctors amputated his left leg. Despite the removal of Walker’s tumor and his leg, the cancer continued to spread.
The news that the former high school football player was fighting for his life eventually spread to the Michigan football team and head coach Jim Harbaugh. The team invited Walker to practice on Aug. 13, 2022, to meet the team and feel the joy of being a part of the Wolverines program.
“Meechie was hurting so bad that day,” Bell said to Wojciechowsi. “His whole body was just in excruciating pain and he just smiled like nothing ever happened. Like he wasn’t even in pain.”
His mother called it the miracle of Michigan, saying that his Michigan visit woke him up despite the pain and deterioration he had experienced in the waning months.
He lost 70 pounds and slipped in and out of consciousness on a regular basis. He was fighting every day and told Wojciechowski that he knew he had to be strong for his two-year-old son.
“I try my hardest to show him that Daddy is in pain,” Walker said at the time. “But Daddy will always love you and I will always be here until the day I die.”
Walker was invited to attend Michigan’s game against Maryland on Sep. 24. Donning a signed Michigan jersey with his nickname, 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 considered as part of the Michigan team. Wiping tears away from his eyes, he scanned the crowd and waved with over 100,000 fans cheering for him.
Harbaugh said the team had dedicated that game, which they won 34-27, to Walker. He was given the game ball in the locker room after the game and the team celebrated the victory as if he had always 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 teammates, coaches and Michigan players.
Punter Brad Robbins tweeted, “Love you Meechie,” with a statement about the loss of his friend.
“We lost a true embodiment of what it means to be a Michigan Man. Meechie and I texted weekly about his experience and outlook on life,” Robbins wrote. “Whenever he was in our facility and around our team, he was so positive and always had a huge smile on his face.”
Walker was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in Nov. of 2020, and he endured numerous surgeries while also going through chemotherapy.
Michigan was aware of Walker’s story and invited him to practice on Aug. 13. Walker got to meet the team, tour the facilities, and even took the field with the players. Walker was also honored at Michigan’s Sept. 24 game against Maryland, and he received a raucous ovation from the crowd.
“Hope the team wears a decal on their helmet in remembrance of him during the playoffs. RIP Dametrius,” wrote another.
“Way more than JUST the UM program. An inspiration to all, way beyond a jersey or a helmet. RIP young man,” a third wrote.
Our hearts go out to Walker’s family and loved ones. Walker developed into a 3-star prospect while a member of the Big Reds football program, as he grew up to become a 6-foot-5 and 260-pound defensive lineman. His bright future was derailed, however, as he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2020 and was forced to retire from the sport before his senior season.
Despite his diagnosis, Walker continued to be a positive influence on the community around him, as he attended Muskegon Big Red football games and cheered on his former teammates from the sidelines. As the disease advanced, Walker had to have his left leg amputated due to the cancer spreading from his femur.
The University of Michigan’s football program took notice of Walker’s situation after learning that Walker had been a lifelong Wolverines fan and invited him to attend a practice on Aug. 13, 2022. Walker was greeted by the entire team and ended the practice by taking a handoff from coach Jim Harbaugh and scoring an honorary touchdown as the team celebrated around him.
Since that time, Walker has become an honorary member of the program, as he has received a signed jersey from the entire Michigan football team and received a standing ovation from the crowd during a Sept. 24 game against Maryland.
The team dedicated the win over the Terrapins to Meechie and gave him the game ball after a 34-27 win. The Wolverines continued to show their support for the Muskegon-area teenager a few weeks later, as the University of Michigan marching band unveiled a new formation during its halftime show, which was sponsored by Bill and Janelle Sykes. The members of the band spelled out “Meechie” across the usual Block M logo formation as a way to show support for Walker, who was in attendance.
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