Up-and-coming rapper Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was shot and killed inside a bakery in Memphis last Wednesday.
Young Dolph, 36, had built friendships with a number of current and former athletes—including Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders.
Following Thornton's death, Sanders, who is still recovering from a recent hospital stay as a result of complications following foot surgery, gave an emotional speech to his players about the fragility of life. He then held a moment of silence in honor of Thornton.
"We lost a warrior today man.