The son of former Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas died alongside his college roommate in a car crash in Georgia Monday night.
Hugh Douglas, 20, and Christion Files Jr., also 20, were pronounced dead after their vehicle crashed head-on into a utility pole and flipped over in East Point, located southwest of Atlanta around 5 p.m., the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Police say the pair’s vehicle tried to pass another car at a high rate of speed when Files Jr. lost control and drove off the roadway, knocking down two utility poles.
The former NFL star, who shared his name with his late son, took to social media in a heart-wrenching tribute, posting multiple throwback photos of them on Twitter and Instagram.
“You were already a better man than me,” Douglas captioned one post on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, of his beloved son.
Both Douglas and Files Jr. were set to graduate from Morehouse College in 2025.
Douglas, described as an “exceptional student who displayed immense dedication,” majored in business administration and concentrated in finance — Files Jr. also majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
“Hugh and Christion were not just friends but also roommates during their sophomore year, and their loss is deeply felt by all of us in the Morehouse family,” Kevin Booker, vice president for student services and dean of Morehouse, said.
“…They leave a legacy of excellence, passion, and dedication that will continue to inspire us all.”
A wave of Morehouse College students mourned the deaths of their late classmates.
“Hugh Douglas was an exceptional student who displayed immense dedication and promise in pursuing a business administration degree with a concentration in finance,” the school wrote on its official Instagram. “He was a member of the @MorehouseBusiness Association, an @AltFinanceedu Fellow, and a @GoldmanSachs Fellow, demonstrating his commitment to excellence in his field…”
Files was a co-captain of the school’s track and field team, media chair for the junior class council, and a part of the Morehouse business association.
The elder Douglas serves as one of the hosts at the Philadelphia-based radio station 94WIP — who paid their respects on the show and on social media expressing their “deepest condolences” to the family.
“We want to express our deepest condolences to 94WIP’s @Bighugh53 and his entire family, as his son Hugh Douglas tragically passed away yesterday. Our hearts are heavy for Hugh and his family,” the station posted on X, formally known as Twitter.
“Every time I spoke to Hugh about his kids, he spoke so glowingly about [his son] Hugh,” Joe Giglio, another host of 94WIP said on Tuesday’s show.
“When I heard it, it hit me in so many ways. I’m sad for Hugh. As a parent, it’s the worst thing you can hear,” he continued.
Hugh Douglas, a three-time Pro Bowler, spent 10 years in the NFL where he played for the Jets, Eagles and Jaguars.
He was drafted in the first round by the Jets and lasted two seasons from 1995 to 1997.
After his first stint with the Eagles, he left to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 before returning to Philly for one last go around in 2004.