MARQUISE HILL

'Marquise Hill' (August 7, 1982 – May 28, 2007) was an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.
Hill attended De La Salle High School in New Orleans where he was named as an All-American and the best defensive lineman in the nation by many publications.^[1] Hill then played college football in Louisiana State University and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Hill played in one game in 2004 and played in eight games in the 2005 season, making three tackles.
On the evening of May 27, 2007, Hill and his friend, Ashley Blazio^[2], fell off a jet ski in Lake Pontchartrain, north of New Orleans. Neither was wearing a personal flotation nor tracking device. Blazio was rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center. Coast Guard units searched the area, and Hill's body was found by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries around 2:15 PM CDT on May 28.
Hill had spent much of his time in the days after Hurricane Katrina helping residents rebuild their homes.^[3] He was the first New England Patriots player to die while still a member of the team.^[4]
For the 2007 NFL season, the Patriots team will wear a "91" insignia (Hill's number in his tenure with New England) on the back on their helmets in honor of his life.

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References

References

1. NFL.com profile
2. Hero told friend: ‘Be calm, Don’t panic’
3. Body of ex-LSU star found in Lake Pontchartrain
4. Tragic history