TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Last week, Governor Rick Scott signed a law directing Florida State University to provide $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling.
The college football standout died in 2001 during preseason training.
His twin brother Devard said he lost half of himself 16 years ago when Devaughn died. The two Texas brothers played for Bobby Bowden, choosing Florida State to pursue their dreams of playing football at the highest level.
Devard said they came to Florida State ready to work hard, but on February 26, 2001, one "mat drill" changed everything.
"It was the worst day of my life. It was my biggest fear, and it was unreal," he said. "We worked our tails off in there, and unfortunately, my belief [is] the coaches pushed him too far that day and he passed."
Devard and Devaughn were born with a sickle cell trait, which can cause dehydration and physical overexertion. Devard said his brother's death could have been prevented.
"'You weren't allowed to get water' was the unwritten rule. Number one rule is you can't quit. Big trash cans around for people throwing up all the time," Devard explained. "That was the environment."
Now, 16 years later, the Darling family is set to receive nearly $2 million from the school.
"There's no amount of money that could ever bring Devaughn back or ever equal to his life, but this is something that has brought closure to the family," Devard said.
In 2007, Devard started the As One Foundation to raise awareness about the sickle cell trait.
"...to help prevent some of these untimely deaths," Devard said. "There are young kids dying every year because of this."
Devard said every day without Devaughn has been tough and hopes his family can now mend its relationship with Florida State.
"We loved being there, and he literally put his life on the line for that school and that university," he said.
The NCAA requires all Division I scholarship athletes be screened for sickle cell trait. That's how the Darling brothers discovered they had the trait, Devard said.
As part of the As One Foundation, Devard started "Operation Hydration" to encourage hydration as a preventative measure from sports-related sickle cell deaths. He has been sharing that message at high schools across the country, which are not mandated to screen for sickle cell trait.
