BANDITS OG TRAVIS CLARIDGE DIES AT AGE 27 Monday, February 27, 2006
The Bandits have announced that
OG Travis Claridge, 27, has died. Claridge was found unconscious
in his Las Vegas home and rushed to St Rose Hospital, where he later
died. The cause of death is unknown. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Claridge joined the Bandits in 2005, acquired in a trade with
Houston. Claridge was a promising addition to the Bandits'
offensive line and also joined his brother, Territorial Draft Selection
LB Ryan Claridge (UNLV).
Claridge, a native of Detroit, started all 48 games he played for the
University of Southern California at Offensive Right Guard and was voted
the Pacific-10 Conference's top offensive lineman in 1999.
He was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2000 NFL
draft and immediately became a starter.
Claridge started 27 games over the next two seasons but was limited to
six starts in 2003 because of a knee injury. The Falcons didn't re-sign
him after the 2003 season. He was then signed by the SFL's Houston
Wranglers but traded to the SFL Las Vegas Bandits in late 2004.
"We are all just so shocked and saddened," said Head Coach Chan
Gailey. "He was so young and energetic, this really caught us all
by surprise. Our prayers and wishes go out to his family, and
we're doing everything we can to help them get through this difficult
and shocking time."
Claridge's younger brother, Ryan, is a linebacker for the Bandits, and
has been granted a leave of absence to be with his family.
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