Tag Archives: Aaron Douglas

On a slow news day when Alabama students (including football players) return to classes, here’s a look at what’s in print today.

The main story involves the arrest of a cab driver who sold the drugs that eventually killed Tide offensive lineman Aaron Douglas’ in May. Here’s what Nick Saban said about Tuesday’s development:

“Nothing can erase the pain of what happened with Aaron. It was tough on our team when you lose a comrade and lose someone that’s a part of your team. Certainly I think that at least now the person who did the wrongdoing is being held accountable for it, which is a positive thing. But nothing can really make that wrong right.

“It is good that maybe this person will be convicted and not be able to do this type of stuff to other young people. I’m hopeful that we can crack down on all that in all areas so we wouldn’t have that type of problem in our country with young people.”

Read the rest of the story to see why the family of the arrested cab driver made headlines in the past.

Also check out a few relevant notes by clicking here.

Practice resumes at 3:15 p.m. or so. Check for updates after that.

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The Fernandina Beach Police Department announced today it made another arrest in connection with the death of Alabama football player Aaron Douglas.

Odum

Rodney Young Odum, 50, was arrested Monday and charged with manslaughter and sale/delivery of a controlled substance (methadone). He is in Nassau County Jail with bond set at $50,000.

Douglas, 21, was found dead on the balcony of a home early May 12 in the northern Florida beach community. Autopsy results later determined an accidental drug overdose was the cause of his death.

According to Fernandina Beach police, Odum was the cab driver who drove Douglas to the late-night party where he eventually died. Odum allegedly sold Douglas two methadone pills, which the medical examiner later determined was sufficient enough to cause Douglas’ death.

Detectives decided manslaughter charges were appropriate in this case.

“The victim clearly shares some responsibility for the reckless behavior that took his life,” a Fernandina Beach police statement from Captain James Hurley reads. “However, Mr. Odum reportedly had a reputation as a mobile drug dealer, making it easy for the victim to locate and ingest the drugs that killed him.”

Back in June, the four residents of the home where Douglas died were arrested for throwing the party and allowing underage drinking.

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The investigation into Aaron Douglas’ death now includes criminal charges against the four residents of the Florida house where the Alabama football player was found dead May 12.

The four were charged with “allowing an open house party wherein at least sixteen (16) persons under the age of twenty-one (21) were present and allowed to consume alcoholic beverages and / or narcotics by those in control of the residence,” according to a news release from Fernandina Beach police.

The four charged range in ages from 24 to 21.

The news release also stated the investigation into Douglas’ death remains open.

An autopsy ruled Douglas’ death an accidental drug overdose. Read more about that by clicking here.

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The obituary was posted Friday night for Alabama football player Aaron Douglas in his hometown newspaper, The Daily Times of Maryville, Tenn.

Aaron Douglas, age 21, of Maryville, passed away suddenly May 12, 2011. Aaron was an amazing son, brother and friend. He is the son of David Douglas and Karla Horton Douglas and big brother to Ashley.

For the complete obituary, click here.

The chief of police in Fernandina Beach, Fla., said the cause of Aaron Douglas’ sudden death could take some time.

In an emailed response to questions, chief James T. Hurley said results from the medical examiner were expected in “about 10 days.” He declined further comment on the death investigation.

Douglas, a recent transfer to Alabama, was found dead Thursday morning in the small beach community located north of Jacksonville near the Georgia border.

Check back later for any updates.

According to UA media relations, the a service for Alabama football player Aaron Douglas will be held Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn.

The service will be held at the Cokesbury Center at 7 p.m. EDT not far from where Douglas grew up in nearby Maryville, Tenn. The address is 9915 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922.

As soon as a full obituary is posted, I’ll link it here.

Darbi Lou Todd, daughter of former Alabama quarterback Richard Todd, briefly dated Aaron Douglas after he arrived at Alabama in January.

Read what she said about his sudden Thursday death in the print edition by clicking here (or here). You’ll also find Todd’s connection to the victims of the tragic tornado that swept through Tuscaloosa on April 27 in the print editions.

Todd and Douglas were in contact on Twitter just hours before he was found dead in the small Florida town of Fernandino Beach.

“He was a great guy. He was really caring,” Todd said. “I was just blessed to be his friend. He cared about a lot of people. He had a lot of people who cared for him. He was a great guy.”

The investigation into the death of Alabama football player Aaron Douglas is still underway in Fernandina Beach, Fla. The cause of death is pending determination from the medical examiner’s office.

A news release from the small Florida town near the Georgia border shed more light on the sudden death of the 21-year-old who recently transferred to Alabama.

According to witnesses, Douglas was in a cab on the way to Jacksonville when contacted by two females from Fernandina Beach. He invited to a party at the house where he was later found dead.

According to the news release, he arrived between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Douglas was last seen at 2 a.m.

According to the release, the Fernandina Beach police were called to a home at 8:13 a.m. with a report of a deceased male later identified as Douglas.  He was found on a second-floor balcony of the home.

The police is “investigating the possibility of illegal alcohol consumption at the party,” according to the release.

The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting  junior Alabama football player     Aaron Douglas was found dead Wednesday night. Click here for the story in which his high school coach confirms his passing.

In a reply to an inquiry on the topic, an Alabama spokesman said he was still working on confirmation of the story.

Further details are still unknown, but scores of current and former Alabama players have taken to Twitter with the news in the past hour.

Tweeted Greg McElroy: “RIP Aaron Douglas. Enjoyed what little time I spent with you and I know you will be watching over us.”

Punter Cody Mandell tweeted: “R.I.P. Aaron Douglas. Man you were like my brother at Bama. I talked to you yesterday bro. Watch over me man. My boy AD.”

Douglas came to Alabama this spring after transferring from Arizona Western Community College. He played at Tennessee as a true freshman in 2009.

Check back later for further details.

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Reaction keeps rolling in as the story of Alabama football player’s tragic death spreads. The University of Tennessee — the school where Douglas started as a freshman in 2009 — released statements from top athletics officials. Here’s what they said.

Athletics directors Mike Hamilton and Joan Cronan
“We are saddened to hear the news regarding the passing of Aaron Douglas. Our thoughts and prayers are with David and Karla Douglas and their family during this difficult time.”

Head football coach Derek Dooley
“No one can understand the pain that a family must endure after the loss of a child. My prayers go out to David and Karla and everyone who was close to Aaron.”

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The impact of Twitter in the news cycle was evident again today with how viral the story of Aaron Douglas’ death became. Here’s what a few prominent people said on Twitter in the wake of the news:

Former UT coach Lane Kiffin
“Just heard the horrible news of tragic incident w/Aaron Douglas. He was a great kid w/a huge heart. My thoughts & prayers r w/David & Karla.”

Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy
“RIP Aaron Douglas. Enjoyed what little time I spent with you and I know you will be watching over us.”

Alabama punter Cody Mandell
“R.I.P. Aaron Douglas. Man you were like my brother at Bama. I talked to you yesterday bro. Watch over me man. My boy AD.”

Alabama linebacker Jonathan Atchison
“RIP my potna and teammate Aaron Douglas @80Fresh, we gone hold it down for u”

Tennessee defensive back Zack Allen
“@80Fresh AD ~ Thank you for the memories homie. I will forever cherish them!”

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