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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Rebel Tony Fein Passes Away
10/7/2009 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. - Tony Fein, 27, who served his country as a member of the United States Army and then played linebacker two years for the Ole Miss Rebels, passed away early Tuesday morning, according to his Oxford-based agent Dee Hobbs.
"The Ole Miss family is saddened by the news of Tony Fein's passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," said head coach Houston Nutt. "Tony did an excellent job for us in the only year we had with him, and he was a good team player. We are grateful for his military service to our country and for the contribution he made to our football program."
As a member of the 2007 and 2008 Rebels, Fein earned two letters while playing middle linebacker, seeing action in 24 games and starting seven. His was credited with 136 total tackles, including eight for a loss, during his two seasons. Fein's 84 tackles in 2007 ranked second on the team and 10th in the Southeastern Conference (7.6 per game), while his 52 tackles in 2008 ranked third on the team.
In the spring of 2008, Fein received the Pat Tillman Patriot Award by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to exhibit to Americans that some athletes can battle on the gridiron or on the battlefield.
Following his graduation from South Kitsap High in his hometown of Port Orchard, Wash., Fein served three and a half years with the United States Army, which included a one-year tour in the Iraq War, before beginning his college football career. He played for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College before transferring to Ole Miss, earning first team All-America honors from the JC Grid-Wire and from the NJCAA.
Shortly after the 2009 National Football League Draft, Fein was signed as an undrafted free-agent by the Seattle Seahawks, but was then released. He was later picked up by the Baltimore Ravens and made it until the final round of cuts before being released on Sept. 5.
"Tony returned to his home state of Washington and kept working to stay in shape in hopes of being given another opportunity," Hobbs said. "We were starting to explore Canadian Football League possibilities. It's a sad loss for the entire Ole Miss family and his family."
According to Hobbs, funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
"The Ole Miss family is saddened by the news of Tony Fein's passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," said head coach Houston Nutt. "Tony did an excellent job for us in the only year we had with him, and he was a good team player. We are grateful for his military service to our country and for the contribution he made to our football program."
As a member of the 2007 and 2008 Rebels, Fein earned two letters while playing middle linebacker, seeing action in 24 games and starting seven. His was credited with 136 total tackles, including eight for a loss, during his two seasons. Fein's 84 tackles in 2007 ranked second on the team and 10th in the Southeastern Conference (7.6 per game), while his 52 tackles in 2008 ranked third on the team.
In the spring of 2008, Fein received the Pat Tillman Patriot Award by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to exhibit to Americans that some athletes can battle on the gridiron or on the battlefield.
Following his graduation from South Kitsap High in his hometown of Port Orchard, Wash., Fein served three and a half years with the United States Army, which included a one-year tour in the Iraq War, before beginning his college football career. He played for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College before transferring to Ole Miss, earning first team All-America honors from the JC Grid-Wire and from the NJCAA.
Shortly after the 2009 National Football League Draft, Fein was signed as an undrafted free-agent by the Seattle Seahawks, but was then released. He was later picked up by the Baltimore Ravens and made it until the final round of cuts before being released on Sept. 5.
"Tony returned to his home state of Washington and kept working to stay in shape in hopes of being given another opportunity," Hobbs said. "We were starting to explore Canadian Football League possibilities. It's a sad loss for the entire Ole Miss family and his family."
According to Hobbs, funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
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