A Fallen Patriot

The Win Column would like to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill, who died tragically after falling off a jet ski in New Orleans over the holiday weekend. It has been learned that just prior to his death, Hill used his final moments of life to help the young woman who was on the jet ski with him, find a safe place to hold on to, until help could arrive. Former LSU teammates and current Patriots Randall Gay and Jarvis Green said it best when they said, "We lost a brother today. Knowing that I have to go back to work and go look at his locker this week, it's tough."

Most of the people reading this probably don't remember who Marquise Hill was, because he was made inactive for the better part of the last few seasons, but he was an absolute beast at LSU, and was a member of the 2004 Patriots Super Bowl team after being drafted that same year in the 2nd round after winning the national championship with the Tigers. He never was able to start for the Patriots, but that doesn't really matter. Football, unlike any other sport to my knowledge, is a brotherhood. Even the guys that don't see a lick of playing time, yet share those jokes and laughs at lockers right next to yours, mean the world to the entire team. These are the guys you go to war with, day in, day out. They are feeling the same sprains, breaks, and bruises (probably 100% more than any starter because the starters don't get worked as hard).

What we never knew was how involved Hill was in his hometown community, especially after Hurricane Katrina. He personally helped rebuild the homes of family and friends and spent a good portion of his salary doing so, I'm sure.

These are the type of players that should be glorified. Not the punks, the druggies, the wife beaters, the DOG FIGHTERS, the pistol whippers. Soft spoken, did his job, and helped give back to the community that was able to give him the opportunity in the first place.

Rest in peace, Marquise Hill.