The football community in Louisiana received sad news this Thursday when the death of Devonta Lee, former wide receiver for the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Tech, was reported. He was only 27 years old, a premature passing that was the result of an illness.
Lee, who built a reputation as a warrior since his days at Amite High School, where he led his team to a state championship in 2018, fulfilled the dream of many local young athletes by wearing the colors of LSU.
The receiver recorded 11 receptions between 2019 and 2021, along with one touchdown with the Tigers. After that, he transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he closed out his college career, but also his athletic life after learning news that would change his story.
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The silent and fierce battle against osteosarcoma
During the 2022 season, Lee experienced persistent back pain that at first did not seem concerning, but soon became a harsh reality to endure when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that often strikes aggressively.
After learning of the diagnosis, he underwent medical treatment that included two major surgeries as well as chemotherapy and radiation, all with the goal of returning to his normal life. He achieved that goal some time later and was declared cancer-free a year after beginning treatment, a situation he used to resume his athletic life.
However, the disease returned a short time later and, despite his daily fight, this time he was unable to overcome it, though he gave his life battling.
Following his passing, his mother, Lacresia Brown, wrote: “He was a fighter who loved everyone around him and would do anything for anyone.”
The LSU Tigers also shared a message for his family, seeking to remember him the way they still hold him in their hearts – as a great fighter. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs emphasized that Lee “will always be remembered as a member of the family.”
Devonta Lee’s legacy is not only that of a player who shined in the NCAA, but also of someone who, even in the most difficult moments, chose not to give up – not only for himself, but to serve as an example that the last thing one should ever lose is the hope of living.