Rex Culpepper, a former Syracuse football player and the son of “Survivor” stars Monica and Brad Culpepper, has died. He was 28.
On Monday, March 16, the X account for Syracuse Football posted about Rex Culpepper’s death and expressed condolences for his family.
“Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28,” the post read. “Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life.”
The football program added, “Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him.”
The post included a black-and-white photo of Rex Culpepper, who played quarterback, suited up in his Syracuse gear and throwing a pass.
A cause of death was not shared.
Rex Culpepper was newly engaged. He announced the news in a joint point with fiancée Savanna Morgan on Feb. 21.
Morgan posted a tribute to Rex Culpepper on Instagram after his death. Captioning a slideshow of pictures, including several sweet photos of them together, she wrote, “No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting.”
She said the two of them lived every day to the fullest.
“We did every little thing that we set our minds to, between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I dont regret a single day in our 6 years,” she continued, adding that their time together felt like “a lifetime.”
She said there is a hole in her heart but seeing how much he was loved is helping her heal.
“Our story was a good one babe,” she concluded.
Rex Culpepper’s siblings, Judge and Honor Culpepper, uploaded a joint post, too. In the tribute, they wrote, “Oh, our Rex, our biggest brother. You were the center of all Universe’s. I don’t have the words right now, and I’m not sure I will. But for now, if you knew Rex, even briefly, please comment a memory, so we can read and laugh and cry.”
One of the pictures in the carousel showed the siblings posing for a family snap with their parents.
Monica Culpepper originally competed on “Survivor: One World” (Season 24) and was the fourth person voted out. She then returned to play alongside her husband and retired NFL player, Brad Culpepper, on “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” (Season 27). Monica Culpepper placed second.
The former defensive tackle was later a contestant on “Survivor: Game Changers” (Season 34), where he was runner-up, as well.
Rex Culpepper was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was a student at Syracuse University. He spoke about his diagnosis and his journey back to the field in a video shared by ESPN’s College GameDay account on X in December 2020.
“Life is really fragile. One minute you’re going to be a college football player, the next you almost die,” Rex Culpepper said in the clip.
Monica Culpepper is then seen telling him, “Cancer picked the wrong kid.”
He replied, “The wrong family.”
The athlete described his grueling chemotherapy treatment before a clip was shown of him ringing a bell to celebrate being cancer-free.
“Football, in my eyes, became a light at the end of the tunnel,” he added. “If I can get back on the field, then I’ll know that I’m 100 percent back and that I’ve beaten cancer.”
During his college football career, Rex Culpepper threw for 1,546 yards and had 11 touchdowns, according to WSTM, an NBC affiliate in Syracuse, New York.
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