Ellis Background

[Thegreatone]

I hate seeing him getting kicked off the team. He has gone through a lot. Here is an article detailing some of what he has been through already.

For Ellis, life has been a long, hard journey since his mother, Traceye Ellis-Rudd, was shot in the face and killed by his stepfather, Kevin Rudd, on April 23, 2003.

Ellis and his two sisters, Sedondra and Nissa, were home during their mother's murder. Then just 10 years old, Ellis threw rocks at Rudd as Rudd ran away from their Whitehaven home.

"He was there," said Ellis' maternal grandmother, Flossie Ellis. "He said, 'Look at what you done did to my mama!' He ran behind him and was throwing rocks at him, saying, 'You done killed my mama!'"

[BearcatPali]

it truly is a Sad story… i was anxious to see how well he developed at UC but I wish him the best of luck in his journey elsewhere.

[JDBEARCAT]

No kid should have to live thru that. Very, very sad.

[red_n_black_attack]

Originally Posted by JDBEARCAT

No kid should have to live thru that. Very, very sad.

Agreed 100%!!!!!

No kid should have to see that.

No person should be killed by another - it's so wasteful to have any life cut short.

In order to get a Div I scholly, he had to get his life somewhat in order, no drugs, no crime, good grades. It could've been so easy for him to decompose at 10. I commend his Grandmother and other family members for supporting him. I wish him well and understand he could no longer represent the Bearcats.

[ccmcat10]

I moved to Memphis last May and happen to teach in the Whitehaven neighborhood (not typically too bad) and I indeed agree that this is sad to hear. Unfortunately, many of the kids from Memphis know nothing more than violence and survival, especially if the feeling of disrespect occured. I hope Octavious can learn and transcend in the future.