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Vanderbilt TE Turner Cockrell passes away after battle with cancer
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Vanderbilt University is mourning the loss of student-athlete Turner Cockrell, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, the school announced Thursday.
Cockrell, 21, was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes in fall 2017. He underwent surgery and treatment last winter, but the cancer spread to his lungs. He missed the entire 2018 season while undergoing treatment.
Head coach Derek Mason issued a statement on Cockrell on VUCommodores.com:
“My heart is broken for Randy, Noelle and the Cockrell family, for all of Turner’s teammates, and for all who came in contact with Turner,” Vanderbilt head football coach Derek Mason said. “Turner had a wonderful spirit and fought an incredible fight. He was a Vanderbilt Man through and through, and he will always be remembered here.”
Cockrell was a native of Acworth, Georgia. Vanderbilt dedicated much of the 2018 season to Cockrell.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB