Okla-homey
4/29/2006, 07:22 AM
Tragic loss of a gifted young person.
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Devin Adair (1985-2006)
Tulsa football player dies after illness
By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
4/29/2006
Several familiar with the situation say Devin Adair died from complications of a staph infection. Devin Adair, a member of the University of Tulsa football team, died on Friday afternoon following a weeklong illness.
Adair, 21, was a transfer from El Camino Junior College in California. The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native began school in January and went through Tulsa's spring football drills in March.
"Words cannot describe the grief and sadness the entire football program is feeling at this time," TU coach Steve Kragthorpe said in a statement. "Even though Devin was at Tulsa for just a short time, he made a lasting impression upon all of us that had an opportunity to know him. He was an energetic and bright young man who will be greatly missed."
Several familiar with Adair's situation said he died of complications from a staph infection.
Adair was hospitalized last weekend, but was believed to have made progress during the past few days.
Kragthorpe, who spent many hours this week in Adair's St. Francis hospital room, met with the Tulsa football team Friday evening. They remembered time spent with their teammate.
Halfway across the country, a memorial service was held for Adair.
News of Adair's death stunned people who knew him in Manhattan Beach, in the Los Angeles area. A candlelight vigil was planned for 11 p.m. Friday at the Mira Costa High School football field, Adair's alma mater.
"It's so sad to lose the life of a young man that was so full of life and had a zest for living," said John Featherstone, Adair's coach at El Camino.
El Camino quarterback Don Poole said Adair was like a brother. When he didn't have a place to stay last spring, the Adair family welcomed him into their home.
"He was a fun-loving kid, and we had a great relationship on and off the field," Poole said, his voice quivering. "We sweated and bled together. He was such a great guy, and I'm still shaken by it. I just got off the phone with his dad, and he said it was the worst day of his life."
Former junior college teammate Mark Gray didn't know Adair was ill. He played one year with Adair and said he became a good friend.
"Devin was very outgoing and could make friends with anybody," said Gray, who talked to Adair right before he was hospitalized. "He came into our junior college not knowing anybody and, two hours later, he was friends with everybody."
Adair was a projected starter for TU. The tight end caught the eye of Tulsa recruiting coordinator Matt Wells after making a one-handed touchdown catch in the back of the end zone in an El Camino game last season.
Tabbed as a strong candidate to replace All-American Garrett Mills, he enrolled at Tulsa three months ago to take part in spring drills.
El Camino wide receivers coach Kevin Duncan was concerned about Adair moving so far from home, especially since he was close to his family.
"I was worried that he'd get homesick, but there was not one thing he didn't like about Tulsa," Duncan said. "From his teammates to the coaches to the area, he said he was glad he made the decision."
Duncan already had a lunch date with Adair planned for early next month.
"He was a special kid," Duncan said. "Now, unfortunately looking back, I'm realizing how lucky I was to coach a kid like him."
Adair is survived by his father, Dave; mother, Lin; and older sister, Jamie. Memorial services are pending.
Eric Bailey 581-8391
[email protected]
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/5059/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz18.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz18.jpg)
Devin Adair (1985-2006)
Tulsa football player dies after illness
By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
4/29/2006
Several familiar with the situation say Devin Adair died from complications of a staph infection. Devin Adair, a member of the University of Tulsa football team, died on Friday afternoon following a weeklong illness.
Adair, 21, was a transfer from El Camino Junior College in California. The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native began school in January and went through Tulsa's spring football drills in March.
"Words cannot describe the grief and sadness the entire football program is feeling at this time," TU coach Steve Kragthorpe said in a statement. "Even though Devin was at Tulsa for just a short time, he made a lasting impression upon all of us that had an opportunity to know him. He was an energetic and bright young man who will be greatly missed."
Several familiar with Adair's situation said he died of complications from a staph infection.
Adair was hospitalized last weekend, but was believed to have made progress during the past few days.
Kragthorpe, who spent many hours this week in Adair's St. Francis hospital room, met with the Tulsa football team Friday evening. They remembered time spent with their teammate.
Halfway across the country, a memorial service was held for Adair.
News of Adair's death stunned people who knew him in Manhattan Beach, in the Los Angeles area. A candlelight vigil was planned for 11 p.m. Friday at the Mira Costa High School football field, Adair's alma mater.
"It's so sad to lose the life of a young man that was so full of life and had a zest for living," said John Featherstone, Adair's coach at El Camino.
El Camino quarterback Don Poole said Adair was like a brother. When he didn't have a place to stay last spring, the Adair family welcomed him into their home.
"He was a fun-loving kid, and we had a great relationship on and off the field," Poole said, his voice quivering. "We sweated and bled together. He was such a great guy, and I'm still shaken by it. I just got off the phone with his dad, and he said it was the worst day of his life."
Former junior college teammate Mark Gray didn't know Adair was ill. He played one year with Adair and said he became a good friend.
"Devin was very outgoing and could make friends with anybody," said Gray, who talked to Adair right before he was hospitalized. "He came into our junior college not knowing anybody and, two hours later, he was friends with everybody."
Adair was a projected starter for TU. The tight end caught the eye of Tulsa recruiting coordinator Matt Wells after making a one-handed touchdown catch in the back of the end zone in an El Camino game last season.
Tabbed as a strong candidate to replace All-American Garrett Mills, he enrolled at Tulsa three months ago to take part in spring drills.
El Camino wide receivers coach Kevin Duncan was concerned about Adair moving so far from home, especially since he was close to his family.
"I was worried that he'd get homesick, but there was not one thing he didn't like about Tulsa," Duncan said. "From his teammates to the coaches to the area, he said he was glad he made the decision."
Duncan already had a lunch date with Adair planned for early next month.
"He was a special kid," Duncan said. "Now, unfortunately looking back, I'm realizing how lucky I was to coach a kid like him."
Adair is survived by his father, Dave; mother, Lin; and older sister, Jamie. Memorial services are pending.
Eric Bailey 581-8391
[email protected]