LAFAYETTE, La. -- Florida football coach Steve Spurrier
joined more than 1,000 mourners Saturday at the funeral for Eraste
Autin, who died after collapsing at a football workout.
"Eraste was not with us long in Gainesville, but I can assure
you here in Lafayette, he made a lasting impression," said
Spurrier, who helped deliver the eulogy at St. John the Evangelist
Cathedral.
"I can assure you, all of us Gators will have Eraste's memories
with us always," Spurrier said.
Autin collapsed July 19 while jogging to the locker room after a
summer conditioning session. He was taken to a hospital for
treatment of heat stroke, but remained in critical condition until
he died Wednesday.
Spurrier said Autin, 18, was a becoming a role model for his
teammates.
"He certainly did everything we asked of him academically and
athletically," Spurrier said. "He really was one of the leaders
of the freshman class."
More than 50 of Autin's Florida teammates attended the services.
"His life was like a shooting star, intense, radiant and
holding you in awe," said Autin's father, David Autin. "He did a
good deed when no one was looking."
Autin was recruited by several universities before choosing
Florida. Louisiana State coach Nick Saban, who tried to get Autin
to sign, was among the mourners Saturday.
"He was in our camp last year and, though he didn't choose our
school, this is a way to show my sorrow for this loss," Saban
said. "I came to show my respect to the family. They were good
people."
Autin was a two-year starter at fullback for St. Thomas More
Catholic High School. He rushed for nearly 700 yards with 12
touchdowns in 2000.
| |
|
