NFL Player Sen'Derrick Marks' Teen High School Prom Date Dies From Cancer
The cancer-stricken teen from Florida, whom NFL player Sen'Derrick Marks took to prom, passed away recently.
Khameyea Jennings was an 18-year-old high school senior from Jacksonville, Florida. She passed away on May 2.
She was only 16 when she was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2013, according to Daily Mail. She had been undergoing cancer treatment at the Wolfson Children's Hospital when she was asked by the 28-year old NFL star to prom.
Marks went to Jennings' room carrying a bouquet of red roses and delivered his promposal to the Franklin H. Peterson prom at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens through the Dreams Do Come True program.
Marks assured the 18-year-old teen that he had already asked her mom about their prom engagement. "What color should I wear?" Marks asked Jennings and even queried about the type of hairstyle he should sport at the event.
Jennings initially planned to go to prom with her sister but accepted Marks' invitation even though she knows "nothing about sports," CBS News reports.
On prom night, the pair was decked in matching white and gold. they went to the dance in Marks' Lamborghini.
"I really want to make a difference," Marks said of the experience. "I want to do something where you actually make someone's day, to make a difference in someone's life."
"I look good, I think my date looks good, we'll have a great night," Marks told First Coast News. "I always want to be there for her here on out."
Laquandra Jennings said that her daughter was glad to have a regular day with her friends and her NFL date, without worrying about her cancer treatments.
"She said this is a day to be normal, not to have to worry about needles, chemo, potassium levels. Just a day to be a teenager and enjoy the prom," Laquandra said via Jacksonville.com.
When the pair arrived, Jennings' classmates all stood in lines and cheered for her as Marks pushed her wheelchair.
"We get a lot of bumps and bruises from tackling, but nothing like she's going through," Marks said at that time. "Tonight I just want make sure she has fun and keeps that smile on her face."
On May 3, Marks, the 6-foot-2 athlete, tweeted his support for Jennings: "Continue to fight and show others the Strenght and faith u have Khameyea. #angelonearth #khameyeajennings"