Remembering former Michigan State football LB Adam Decker

Michigan State football is amid a 3-0 start and preparing for a tough road trip to Boston College this week. While that has been going on, some sad news came out this week about a beloved former Spartan.

Adam Decker, who spent four seasons in the green and white from 2006-09. He became a key piece at linebacker in his final two seasons in East Lansing. The news broke Tuesday when former strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie broke the news with a post on X.

"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Spartan Adam Decker. Tough yet loving, hardworking, unselfish, giving, steadfast, committed," Mannie wrote. "As good a person you could ever meet. A true friend, a great Spartan. Love and condolences to Adam's family, friends and teammates."

Decker was a Rochester Hills native, who played for Michigan high school power Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. He earned all-star honors at both linebacker and tight end in high school, before getting redshirted in 2005.

After that, he was a key player who played 40 career games for the Spartans. The biggest moment of his Spartan career was by far during his junior season in 2008. Decker made the stop of Iowa Hawkeyes All-American running back Shonn Greene, on a fourth and short to win the homecoming game

I have fond memories of that game, as that was the first Michigan State football game I attended personally. Adam meant a lot to Michigan State, as he was second-generation Spartan player, as his dad Michael played for the green and white from 1977-1979.

Decker finished his Spartan career with 80 career tackles, and graduated in 2009 with a degree in finance. He did a lot in the East Lansing community, and was a true Spartan through and through -- No. 55 will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace, Adam. Thank you for everything you gave to the green and white.