Aaron Douglas' Death Shocks Tennessee, Alabama Football Communities

Two SEC football communities are in mourning today as news spreads of the passing of Aaron Douglas, the former Tennessee offensive lineman who was battling throughout the spring for a starting left tackle spot at Alabama. Douglas spent the formative years of his life growing up practically in the shadow of Neyland Stadium, played football for nearby Maryville High School, and for the first two years of his collegiate football career, wore the orange and white of the Volunteers. His departure after the Vols' second coaching change in as many seasons was less than harmonious, but as the team's premier beat writer reports, all that's forgotten today:

General consensus from Vols and former Vols on Aaron Douglas is that he was a friend, and "Once a Vol, always a Vol."

Though he hadn't been in Tuscaloosa long, Douglas had enough talent to compete on the Alabama two-deep, which speaks volumes to his prowess as a player. If you'd like to share memories and condolences, he's being remembered this afternoon on Rocky Top Talk and Roll Bama Roll, as well as our SEC blog, Team Speed Kills.