Devard Darling to Honor Brother Devaughn Darling’s Legacy With Blood Drive, Press Conference, and Memorial Walk at Florida State University
TALLAHASSEE, FL, UNITED STATES, February 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Devard Darling, former NFL player and Florida State University football alumnus, will return to Tallahassee on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his twin brother Devaughn Darling’s passing with a community blood drive, commemorative press conference, memorial walk, and bubble release.
Devaughn Darling died during spring conditioning at Florida State University on Feb. 26, 2001. His death drew national attention to athlete safety and helped prompt policy changes for student-athletes, including more rigorous approaches to medical screening and awareness of pre-existing conditions.
Hosted near Devaughn’s memory tree by the football facility, the event will be held in partnership with OneBlood and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Leon County. Organizers are aiming for 53 blood donors in honor of Devaughn’s jersey number.
“As we gather at his memory tree for a bubble release, we will not only remember my brother; we will celebrate the impact of his life. My brother rests eternally in his #53 Seminole jersey, and I will forever live and breathe Nole-blooded,” said Darling, founder of the As One Foundation.
February 26, 2026
Event Schedule:
10:00 a.m.- Blood Drive Starts
11:30 a.m. Walk from the unconquered statue to the Devaughn Darling Memory Tree
11:45 a.m. – Press Arrive
12:00 p.m.- Press Conference starts at the Memory Tree
12:30 p.m.- Walk to Blood Drive Bus
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. – Raffle and Blood Drive
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY VISITORS CENTER, 288 Champions Way Tallahassee, FL 32304
VISUALS: Visuals and additional content are available here Dropbox
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexandria Green-Jones (AG Media Agency) info@agmediaagaency.com or 703-789-5133 cell 832-545-1359 backup cell
We are proud to partner with OneBlood and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Leon County for this meaningful day.
Our goal next Thursday is 53 blood donors, honoring his jersey number.
CLICK HERE to donate BLOOD in honor of DEVAUGHN
CLICK HERE to donate to the AS ONE FOUNDATION
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn: @AsOneFoundation
*Empowering families globally, delivering life-saving comprehensive sickle cell education*
About As One Foundation. Founded by former NFL player Devard Darling, the As One Foundation is committed to empowering athletes and communities through education, awareness, and prevention related to sickle cell trait complications and sickle cell disease. Through advocacy, programming, and community partnerships, the foundation works to ensure families have the knowledge and resources needed to help prevent avoidable tragedies.
Alexandria Green
AG Media Agency
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