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Auburn announces death of former All-American linebacker of complications from COVID
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Auburn is mourning the loss of a star former linebacker from the mid-to-late-1980s.
According to a release from the university, Craig Ogletree, a 3-time SEC champion with the Tigers between 1987 and 1989, died on Monday at the age of 53. The cause of death was complications due to COVID-19.
Ogletree, a native of Barnesville, Ga., played for legendary head coach Pat Dye. In 1989, he recorded 117 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks as the Tigers won their 3rd straight SEC title.
“What most people don’t know is that he was also an excellent student, a brilliant person,” said former teammate Quentin Riggins. “Great dad and husband. We just clicked. He was a very special person.”
Following his college career, Ogletree was drafted in the 7th round by the Cincinnati Bengals but spent 1 season in the NFL before heading back to Auburn to complete his degree work.
A pastor in Milner, Ga., near his hometown of Barnesville, Ogletree was asked by the family of Dye to officiate his former college coach’s funeral after Dye passed away last year.
Ogletree leaves behind a wife, 2 sons, and a daughter.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
