Former Florida State football quarterback Marcus Outzen died Tuesday due to complications from a rare autoimmune disorder, according to reports.
Outzen’s death was announced by his son, Colton, in a social media post Tuesday.
He was 46. Outzen played five seasons at FSU, primarily as a backup behind starter Chris Weinke, but started the 1999 Fiesta Bowl for the Seminoles, which was the first BCS National Championship game. FSU lost the national championship to Tennessee, 23-16.
Outzen died Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, due to complications from Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare and severe inflammatory syndrome that can be fatal, according to the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
Outzen, a native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, spent five seasons at FSU from 1996 to 2000. He was primarily a backup quarterback for the Seminoles, but assumed the starting role in 1998 when starter Chris Weinke suffered a neck injury in December.
He led the Seminoles to consecutive wins over Wake Forest and Florida to earn FSU a berth in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, which was the first BCS National Championship game for the 1998 season.
Nicknamed “The Rooster,” Outzen finished his FSU career having completed 72 of 121 pass attempts for 1,074 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions, along with 84 rushes for 142 yards and three touchdowns.
