Rex Culpepper dies at 28: What we know about ex-Syracuse QB's sudden death after dirt bike accident

Syracuse football is mourning the death of former QB Rex Culpepper, the program announced on Monday.

Culpepper spent five seasons with the Orange from 2016-20, spending most of his time as a backup but earning some starts in 2020. He briefly converted to tight end during his redshirt sophomore season before switching back to quarterback.

A cancer survivor as well, Culpepper was originally from Tampa, and both his father and his grandfather played football at the University of Florida.

Here's what you need to know about Culpepper's sudden death.

Rex Culpepper dies at 28

Syracuse announced Culpepper's death in a tragic dirt bike accident, praising the former quarterback's "endless passion."

Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28. Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life.… pic.twitter.com/HT65Ff8b2D

Culpepper's fiance, Savanna, posted a tribute on social media as well. "We did every little thing that we set our minds to, between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I don't regret a single day in our 6 years," she wrote.

Culpepper threw 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across five seasons at Syracuse, seeing the bulk of his time on the field as a redshirt senior in 2020. Culpepper started over Tommy DeVito for much of a grueling 1-10 season for the Orange before running out of eligibility at the end of the year.

Rex Culpepper cause of death

Culpepper died from injuries he suffered in a dirt bike accident on Saturday in Georgia, the Tampa Bay Times reported. No other details have been reported about the accident.

Rex Culpepper accident details

Details on Culpepper's accident are limited. The former Syracuse quarterback was injured in the crash in Georgia on Saturday, but it's unclear exactly when he died.

According to one of Culpepper's friends, Victor Silva, dirt biking was a passion of his. Culpepper "went out doing what he loved most, ripping a 2stroke dirt bike and pushing himself to be better," Silva said, according to TMZ.

Rex Culpepper parents

Culpepper was the son of former NFL defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, who spent nine seasons in the league between the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears. An All-American at Florida, Brad became a starter in the NFL despite only being a 10th-round pick in 1992. 

After his playing career ended, Brad appeared on the 27th season of "Survivor" alongside his wife, Rex's mother. Rex's mom also appeared individually on the 24th season of "Survivor."