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Former Ducks defensive lineman Tui Talia reportedly passed away this weekend, according to his former junior college coach Mike Darr
That wasn't rain today...even God shed tears as we lost a legend in Tui Talia. One of the best to ever put on the Viking uniform & one of the best Juco players of All-Time! We'll always remember the savage on the field & huge smile off it. RIP Tui! https://t.co/YrK87OUZJd pic.twitter.com/XUTEPKXNdf
— Mike Darr (@DVC_CoachDarr) May 27, 2019
Talia played for the Ducks during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He played for Diablo Valley College before his Ducks career.
According to 247, Talia was a three star defensive end recruit that was the seventh ranked JUCO recruit from California, fifth ranked strong side defensive end, and 24th ranked overall JUCO recruit for the class of 2014.
Current Ducks offensive lineman Shane Lemieux with a tribute
Rest easy big uce pic.twitter.com/6kqN6F44c7
— Shane Lemieux (@ShaneLemieux) May 27, 2019
The official cause of death hasn’t been confirmed but there are reports that he passed away from a car accident.
We will provide updates as they come available.
Talia’s death is another tragedy involving college athletics this holiday weekend as legendary Auburn radio announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife were killed in an accident along with Wisconsin basketball assistant coach Howard Moore lost his wife and daughter and was injured in an accident.
According to police reports, Bramblett and his wife were rear ended by a teenage driver. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bramblett died from their injuries after being lifted to the hospital.
Coach Moore and his son were injured in a head on collision with a wrong way driver while his wife and daughter passed away at the scene.
If you have time, please go visit College and Magnolia (Auburn) and Bucky’s 5th Quarter (Wisconsin) to offer condolences as those communities are reeling from their tragedy right now.
If you have the funds, please donate to the Bramblett Memorial Fund to assist with their children.
Please stay safe on the roads at all times but especially so during the holiday weekends as tragic incidents are particularly common during these times.
*UPDATE*
Former Oregon defensive lineman Tui Talia killed in auto accident https://t.co/v7uWGrVmet pic.twitter.com/eFTB2ratH5
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) May 29, 2019
Talia was the passenger in the car that was driven by a drunk driver. It's even more tragic now that the details have come out.