Tennessee football: Parys Haralson’s death the second among 2005 starting DL
Big Orange Nation was rocked with devastating news to begin this week. Former Tennessee football defensive lineman Parys Haralson, who played for the Vols from 2002 to 2005, has passed away at age 37.
Haralson’s death was initially revealed by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in the NFL from 2006 to 2012. He also played for the New Orleans Saints in 2013 and 2014. His death is tragic not just because he was a great player but because he was also a great leader and person.
During his time with Tennessee football, Haralson’s leadership showed by him having the rare honor of being named Team Captain twice, in 2004 and 2005. To make this even sadder, though, he’s not the only captain from 2005 or starting defensive lineman from 2004 and 2005 to die.
Just over 12 years ago, Jesse Mahelona passed away after being involved in a car accident. Mahelona was an All-American in 2004, and he and Haralson made an elite team those two years, with Haralson earning Second Team All-SEC in 2005.
Together, they helped anchor a historically great UT defense in 2005 that was wasted because of a horrendous year on offense. Haralson had an amazing 17 tackles for a loss, eight and a half sacks, three forced fumbles, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery and 45 overall tackles that year, 33 of which were solo.
Joining Haralson and Mahelona on that defensive line were Jason Hall, who had seven sacks and 13 tackles for a loss that year, and Justin Harrell, the anchor in the middle who had eight tackles for a loss and two and a half sacks. Haralson was the leader of the group, though.
From Knoxville to San Francisco, Haralson was beloved by everybody around him. He remained involved with his former teams even after his retirement and in those communities. UT fans all remember his toughness and leadership.
Anybody who knew Haralson or Mahelona couldn’t say enough good things about them, and it’s tragic that both are gone. They are two of Tennessee football’s greatest players and ambassadors of all time, and even in their short lives, their impacts clearly went beyond their sport.