A HERO HAS FALLEN : Florida State quarterback Marcus Outzen dies at age 26 after battle with……

Outzen is said to have died due to complications from a rare immune deficiency disorder

Florida State quarterback Marcus Outzen reportedly died on Tuesday at the age of 26 following a battle with a rare disorder.

Outzen, who started for the Seminoles in the first BCS Championship Game in 1999, died due to complications from a rare immune deficiency disorder, according to The Tallahassee Democrat.

The former college signal caller, who earned the nickname ‘The Rooster’ for his red hair, was reportedly recently diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), which is a severe systematic inflammatory syndrome.

‘Rest In Peace @MarcusOutzen. I love you so much Dad,’ his son Colton wrote Tuesday on X.

Outzen played for FSU from 1996 to 2000 and is best known for stepping into the starting role in the 1998 season after quarterback Chris Weinke suffered a neck injury.

He led the Seminoles to the 1999 Fiesta Bowl after guiding the team to wins over Wake Forest and Florida.

However, FSU ultimately suffered a national championship loss of 23-16 against Tennessee.

Outzen completed 9-of-22 passes for 145 yards while throwing two interceptions. He scored on a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Outzen, originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, returned to the backup role to Weinke the following year and remained on the team for the next two seasons, including the 1999 FSU squad that beat Virginia Teck to be crowned national champion.

‘Marcus was a good friend to a lot of people,’ former FSU teammate Bobby Rhodes said, via The Democrat. ‘People liked him, on and off the field. This is so sad.’