The Michigan State football family received stunning news Tuesday with the passing of 38-year-old Reggie Garnett, a four-year starter at linebacker for George Perles and the 1993 Big Ten freshman of the year.
Garnett died at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital from complications related to diabetes, said Nigea Carter, his friend and former teammate at MSU.
Its just a big loss, said Carter, a freshman at MSU in 1993, along with Garnett. Its so confusing right now. One minute, Im with my kids, handing out Christmas gifts, and the next minute, I find out my best friend has passed away.
Garnett, a corporate headhunter living in Detroit, is survived by his 13-year-old son, Reggie Jr., of Dearborn. Funeral arrangements are pending.
The product of Akron (Ohio) Buchtel High was a four-year starter for Perles and Nick Saban at MSU in 1993-96, leading the team with 111 tackles in 1995.
Those who knew him well said he was the most positive, friendly, upbeat person on the team. He also was a talented artist.
I can talk all day about Reggie -- and not about football, Carter said. He was an infectious person. Just such a fun-loving guy. Theres nothing bad anyone could ever say about Reggie.
Said Perles: Im shocked. He was just a great guy, a credit to his family. A good person, a good man. This is shocking.
Carter said Garnett was discovered by his parents last week at his home, after they couldnt reach him by phone. He was in a diabetic coma for several days before dying, Carter said.
He had two cardiac arrests, and it looks like the last one killed him, said Carter, who was diagnosed in 2005 with Type I diabetes, a few years before Garnett was diagnosed.
Carter, who lives in Waterford, called Garnetts family early Tuesday morning to check on Garnett and was told he had died 20 minutes earlier. Carter and his wife rushed to the hospital and spent some time with Garnett, still in his hospital bed.
Those two, along with teammates Ike Reese and Flozell Adams, were a tight group at MSU, living together at West Wilson Hall.
My four years at MSU were the best four years of my life, Carter said, because of Reggie.
Facebook tributes
Here are some Facebook messages from former MSU teammates remembering Garnett:
• Ike Reese: Yesterday was one of the worse days of my life. I lost my BEST friend, my Brother, my sons God Father. So many memories, so many conversations, good times and bad. From the 1st time we met(checking in to training camp 1993 MSU), to our last conversation(2 weeks ago) we knew how to make each other laugh better than anyone. It's a BOND that will never be broken. I know you're in a better place today, Resting In Peace. LOVE YOU Lil BRO!
• Flozell Adams: Yeah I'll start the good ole days message. I remember sometime towards the end of October in 93. I was walking back to Wilson after study table late one night. Reggie, Ike, and b Echols were walkin my way too. Reggie said hey big dude, you stay in Wilson. I said yeah. I stay on 4 west. He said damn we do too. You just move there or somethin. I said na. I've been there since the beginning of sept. he said WHAT. We haven't seen you at all. I told him I don't come out of my room much. He said well now you gunna come out. You gone hang with us. We the foe wess posse. We gone kick it. That right there made me feel welcomed. That's when we all became spartan dawgs. Thanks mayne.
• Paul Edinger: Rest in peace family. Till we meet again. God bless
• Gari Scott: Much love always Spartan!
• Robin Garnett (Reggie's sister): Christmas will never be the same. My brother Reggie Garnett passed today. He fought hard. Reggie you no longer have to suffer. I love you!! R.I.P
• Tony Popovski: May God rest your soul Reggie Garnett. The Spartan family just lost a genuine person and teammate. Rest in Peace #22.
• Jason Strayhorn: When it came to deciding on a University that I would call home for the next 4-5 years of my life I took one more look at that Spartan media guide and I saw Reggie Garnett BIG TEN Freshman of the Year. I always looked up to his leadership skills, charisma and fun loving personality. Today God called a REAL Spartan Dawg home. Lord knows he's getting it ready for when its our time to join the party. God Bless you and ALL of your loved ones...
• Ty Garland: Just heard the terrible news of my former teammate/linebacker passing away this morning. R.I.P Reggie.
• Tyrone Crenshaw: He will be sadly missed. Had some great and funny memories with my fellow spartan teammate. Stories I have shared with my kids of him and they never met him. The good die young....:
• Tony Banks (posted on Banks' Facebook page): R.I.P. to former #Spartan Reggie Garnett. One of the toughest most loyal Spartans I ever knew.
Contact Joe Rexrode: 313-222-2625 or jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe. Kevin Bull contributed.
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