TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Feb. 21, 2026 — 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.