In Memory

Statement By FSU Assistant Athletic Director Rob Wilson

Monday, February 26, 2001

At this time, I must confirm that Devaughn Darling, a freshman, linebacker, from Houston, Texas, was pronounced dead at 8:37 a.m. today by attending physicians in the Emergency room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Devaughn collapsed this morning at the completion of the team's off-season workout and was attended on the scene by the FSU athletic training staff. The training staff contacted FSU Police and Emergency Medical Services as they began to perform CPR. FSU police arrived at the scene and assisted with CPR until EMS personnel took over and transported Devaughn to the emergency room. He arrived at 8:00 a.m.

At this time, the cause of death is unknown. The attending physician has recommend to the medical examiner that an autopsy be performed, but that is the medical examiner's call. Any further medical questions cannot be addressed under patient confidentiality laws.

As many of you know, Devard Darling is the identical twin of Devaughn and he is also a member of this football team. FSU coaches and staff have been with him and will continue to be with him throughout this process. The Darling's mother has been contacted in Houston and is traveling here as quickly as possible. The Darling's father is en route and is being met at the airport by Coach Bobby Bowden and others even as we speak. Coach Bowden will spend the day with the family today. We will release a statement from him later on today.

As you can imagine, our entire athletics program is shocked and grieving. I would ask that you allow our student-athletes in particular some time to collect themselves before addressing any media questions.

I know this is not a great deal of information, but it is all we have at this time. I'd like to bring up our director of Athletics Mr. Dave Hart and then I'll try and answer any more questions I can.

AP Article from Monday, February 26, 2001
AP Article from Friday, March 2, 2001



A memorial service was held Thursday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. in Ruby Diamond Auditorium on the campus of Florida State University. In lieu of flowers, the Darling family has asked that donations be made to an endowed scholarship fund at Florida State which has been established in the memory of Devaughn Darling. Donations should be made payable to: Darling Endowed Scholarship Seminole Boosters, Inc. P.O. Box 1353 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Call (850) 644-3484 with any questions about the endowed scholarship.
*Statement By FSU Assistant Athletic Director Rob Wilson* Monday, February 26, 2001 At this time, I must confirm that Devaughn Darling, a freshman, linebacker, from Houston, Texas, was pronounced dead at 8:37 a.m. today by attending physicians in the Emergency room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Devaughn collapsed this morning at the completion of the team's off-season workout and was attended on the scene by the FSU athletic training staff. The training staff contacted FSU Police and Emergency Medical Services as they began to perform CPR. FSU police arrived at the scene and assisted with CPR until EMS personnel took over and transported Devaughn to the emergency room. He arrived at 8:00 a.m. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. The attending physician has recommend to the medical examiner that an autopsy be performed, but that is the medical examiner's call. Any further medical questions cannot be addressed under patient confidentiality laws. As many of you know, Devard Darling is the identical twin of Devaughn and he is also a member of this football team. FSU coaches and staff have been with him and will continue to be with him throughout this process. The Darling's mother has been contacted in Houston and is traveling here as quickly as possible. The Darling's father is en route and is being met at the airport by Coach Bobby Bowden and others even as we speak. Coach Bowden will spend the day with the family today. We will release a statement from him later on today. As you can imagine, our entire athletics program is shocked and grieving. I would ask that you allow our student-athletes in particular some time to collect themselves before addressing any media questions. I know this is not a great deal of information, but it is all we have at this time. I'd like to bring up our director of Athletics Mr. Dave Hart and then I'll try and answer any more questions I can. AP Article from Monday, February 26, 2001 AP Article from Friday, March 2, 2001
"I think all of our thoughts, prayers and wishes should be with his mom, his dad, his twin brother and all of the family members. "Right now we're all pretty dazed." Head Coach Bobby Bowden's reaction on Monday, February 26, 2001. "Obviously it's a very emotional time for everyone associated with our program, we're all in a state of shock." Athletic director David Hart's comments from a press conference Monday.
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