Missouri State safety Todric McGee died early Saturday from what authorities said was a possible accidental and self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was 21.
Cris Swaters, spokesperson for the Springfield Police Department, said officers responding to a request for a wellness check found McGee at his home Friday morning.
“He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries where he later died. This is an active investigation,” Swaters said via email.
The university reported news of his death Saturday, saying that he died from injuries sustained at home the previous day.
McGee was entering his fifth season with the Bears and was the starting safety in 2023 and 2024. He earned all-conference honors in 2023.
“Our football family is in shock and in mourning at the loss of Todric,” head coach Ryan Beard was quoted as saying in the statement. He asked people to respect the privacy of McGee’s family and of the football team, adding, “Join us in praying for Todric and the people who loved him.”
Rest easy young man 🐻 🏈
Joshua 1:9 pic.twitter.com/bjOdmQCD82— Ryan Beard (@Ry_Beard) April 19, 2025
McGee, a fifth-year senior, grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated from Wichita Northwest High School.
McGee started each of the past two seasons for the Bears where he earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2023.
“This tragedy has shaken our football program to the core, and we want them to know we are here to support them in every way possible at this extremely difficult time,” athletic director Patrick Ransdell said in the school’s statement.
The investigation into McGee’s death is ongoing, police said in a statement to the media.
McGee’s tragic death is the second high-profile death of a top college football player in the past week.
Last week former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy died at age 24 in an apparent suicide in his car while being pursued by authorities in Houston, according to a Harris County sheriff’s report.
Lacy already was facing criminal charges stemming from a fatal car accident in Louisiana last December that had clouded his NFL prospects.
Harris County authorities say their pursuit of Lacy ended when Lacy crashed.
When officers approached the vehicle to extract Lacy, they say he had died in an apparent suicide, the report said. Lacy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” LSU said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”