Florida State Seminoles Football Mourns the Passing of Former Quarterback!
The Florida State Seminoles football community is in mourning following the tragic passing of Marcus Outzen, an experienced quarterback who played a significant role in the team’s history. Outzen, who famously started in the first BCS national championship game, passed away at the age of 46.
News of Outzen’s death was shared by his son on social media on Tuesday night. According to reports from the Tallahassee Democrat, Outzen succumbed to complications from Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune disorder, in Tampa, Florida.
Affectionately known as “The Rooser” due to his distinctive red hair, Outzen contributed to the Florida State football program from 1997 to 2000, primarily serving as a backup quarterback. However, his role shifted in 1998 when he was thrust into the starting position following an injury to Chris Weinke late in the season. Outzen played a pivotal role in leading the Seminoles to victories in his first two starts, culminating in an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite a hard-fought effort, Tennessee emerged victorious with a 23-16 win in the inaugural BCS championship game.
Over his four-year tenure at Florida State, Outzen amassed a career passing record of 72 completions on 121 attempts for 1,074 yards, along with five touchdowns and six interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his athleticism by rushing for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Notably, Outzen was a vital part of the Seminoles’ 1999 national championship-winning team.
Reflecting on his teammate’s passing, Bobby Rhodes, a former colleague of Outzen at Florida State, expressed his sorrow, stating, “Marcus was a good friend to a lot of people. People liked him, on and off the field. This is so sad.”
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