Former Alabama standout and defensive tackle Curtis Dawson passed away on Wednesday according to TideSports.com at the young age of 33. A cause of death has not be disclosed by the family of the former Crimson Tide player.
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He originally signed with Alabama in the 2004 recruiting class and was on the field for 19 snaps in his true freshman season. Unfortunately, he was dismissed by the team in June of 2005 for a "violation of team rules."
He went to school weighing about 250 pounds as a linebacker, but packed on 25 pounds and was moved to defensive tackle. His former high school coach Rush Propst recalls going to an Alabama practice once and seeing Dawson manhandle every offensive lineman he faced.
"I remember going to an Alabama spring practice in 2004. They had moved him to the (defensive line) and he was in a pass (protection) drill with the second defense. He went against every single starting offensive lineman at Alabama and not one of them blocked him. He was destined for greatness as a defensive end at 275 or 280."
Propst also spoke about his struggles away from the game as well as his character.
"Athletes are so competitive. On the field, in competition, they are dominant. Sometimes they get off the field and they struggle with that, with being the Average Joe. But he was a good person at heart. He has a great family that I still love, and I love Curtis Dawson."
As of Friday, arrangement for a funeral are still pending.
