HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University football player Devon Currie, who was a reserve linebacker and special teams standout as a true freshman in 2006, died Sunday morning at his home in Alpharetta, Ga., after battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He was 20.

Services are pending.

Currie played in all 11 games for the Lions in 2006 where he excelled on special teams and was credited with nine tackles on the season. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Currie posted a season-high three tackles in games against Jacksonville (Fla.) and Gardner-Webb and added tackles against New Mexico State, Nicholls State and Northwestern State.

On and off the field, Currie earned the admiration of his teammates and coaching staff as he was selected as the Lions' Special Teams Most Valuable Player after the 2006 campaign.

“Our condolences go out to the family,” Southeastern head coach Mike Lucas said. “Devon meant a lot to this program and to our players. There were a lot of tears shed when they found out about his passing.

“He was as tough and physical of a player as we've ever had here. He was a young man with tremendous faith and we know that he's not suffering anymore.”

Currie returned home prior to the 2007 season after being diagnosed with the disease and the team honored him by wearing a sticker on their helmet with the initials “DC.” Currie was also honored by the Southeastern family during the 2007 Relay for Life, which was held in his honor.

An account entitled, “Always Fighting Cancer” has been established at Providence Bank of Georgia. Donations may be made in person by going by the bank at 4955 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta or by mailing them to P. O. Box 1127, Alpharetta GA 30009-1127.