Alabama Football: Aaron Douglas Memorial Service Announced, Sad Days for Tide

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

It's always a shock to hear the news of a friend passing away far too soon, but the reality and real grief sets in when you finally see the body being laid to rest or at a memorial.

That is the sad reality of the Tide coaches, faculty, students and teammates who will venture to Knoxville, TN this Sunday for Alabama Crimson Tide offensive tackle Aaron Douglas' memorial service.

The service will be held at the Cokesbury Center near his home. It is a church center that the Douglas family has an affiliation with.

The address is 9915 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee and the service will start at 7 pm. Fans are asked to attend this event as the burial will be private.

Douglas' last vision was the waves hitting the beach in a tranquil night time setting early on Thursday morning. His body was found later that morning still on the balcony following a party.

Though I never interviewed Douglas, the players I've talked to that knew him said things that would let one know that he would want something positive to come out of his death and perhaps his untimely demise can save another football player who may be faced  with decisions one can make in a party atmosphere.

Though details are still not known, it is suspected that he made the mistake of mixing alcohol with a prescription drug.

In life Douglas was a physical specimen, but his death could teach others that bad choices have serious ramifications no matter how big and strong you are.

Though nothing can take away the pain from losing someone with the fun loving character of Aaron Douglas, at least his family and friends can take solace in the knowledge that his life stood for something positive and that even in death, he can give a positive lesson to his friends that remain.

If one life is spared because of this tragic lesson, I'm sure that would please Aaron. He seemed to be that kind of man.