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View Full Version : Bama's Aaron Douglas found dead



psuexv
05-12-2011, 03:40 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6534274&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines


Alabama offensive tackle Aaron Douglas, an All-America lineman two years ago as a Tennessee freshman before landing with the Crimson Tide in January, was found dead in Florida early Thursday.

Alabama confirmed Douglas' death in a statement. Details surrounding the 21-year-old player's death were not immediately known. Alabama officials were waiting to hear from all authorities involved in the matter before releasing information.

"It is a tragedy anytime you lose someone close to you and even more so when it is a member of your family," Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement released by the university. "Aaron was a part of our family and always will be a part of our family at Alabama.

"He was an outstanding young man and we were excited about what he had accomplished as a player and a person in the short time he was with us."

Douglas transferred to Alabama after spending last season at Arizona Western College and was competing for the starting left tackle job this spring. He began his career at Tennessee, where he was a freshman All-America offensive lineman in 2009.

With the Vols, Douglas started 10 games at tackle and saw action in 13 games after changing positions from tight end.

Following former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's departure for USC following the '09 season, Douglas did not participate in spring practice with the Vols once Derek Dooley took over as coach and decided he wanted to get away from the Knoxville area.

After leaving the school, Douglas admitted to suffering from depression.

"He was a great kid and a great football player," Arizona Western College coach Tom Minnick said Thursday. "He was going to be the next NFL player from Arizona Western College. He played his butt off here. His athletic ability was unbelievable.

"There was a lot of pressure on him because the Tennessee fans had called him a traitor. It was putting pressure on him. Words had hurt him."

Kiffin said he was notified of Douglas' death by several current members of the Tennessee coaching staff.

"It is a tragedy. I heard the news this morning," Kiffin said. "He was a great kid with a huge heart. He will be truly missed by many."

The 6-foot-7, 275-pound player attended high school in nearby Maryville, Tenn. His parents were athletes at Tennessee; David was an offensive lineman in the mid-1980s, and Karla started three seasons for the Lady Vols basketball team and contributed to head coach Pat Summitt's first national title team.

JBHuskers
05-12-2011, 03:55 PM
It happens in three's .... three deaths in less than 24 hours in the sports world :smh:

Tractor Traylor, Douglas, and Daryl Hawks.

JeffHCross
05-12-2011, 10:40 PM
It happens in three's .... three deaths in less than 24 hours in the sports world :smh:

Tractor Traylor, Douglas, and Daryl Hawks.Now Ron Springs ... former Cowboys RB and father of Ohio State/NFL cornerback Shawn Springs. That makes four.

psusnoop
05-13-2011, 07:39 AM
Now Ron Springs ... former Cowboys RB and father of Ohio State/NFL cornerback Shawn Springs. That makes four.

Just read that a second ago Jeff lets hope that is the end of the string of misfortune for these athletes and families.