Buckeye Nation mourns the loss of Ivan Douglass who passed from complications of COVID-19

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Buckeye Nation is mourning the loss of Ivan Douglass, who was a key member of Ohio State's 2002 national championship team.

Douglass passed away Thursday from complications of COVID-19. He was 41.

He was known as a great father, husband, and Buckeye, but the impact he had on the field paled in comparison to the impact he had in the community and with his family.

"Ivan was a really good dude," Mekka Don said. "He's the kind of guy who was there for you in your time of need. He cares about people. He cares about his family. He cares about his community."

For Mekka Don, the shock and pain of Douglass' passing are still fresh.

"Great teammate. Was a guy that would pick you up if you were down. Someone like me who wasn't a big player on the team, he took me under his wing. He always had a positive word to say," he said.

Douglass was the starting left tackle on Ohio State's 2002 national championship team. His family said he was forced into the hospital late last month after contracting COVID-19.

He leaves behind a wife and two young boys, just 1 and 3 years old.

A gofundme has been created to help support Douglass' family.

"When we were younger we all had this assumption that everyone grows old and then they pass away when they're in their 70s and 80s. I think we obviously learn very quickly that wasn't true. You are still never ready for this type of thing, for someone who is so young, who was a friend and was passionate. Someone who was full of life. You're never ever ready for this type of thing," Mekka Don said.

Douglass was a native of the Cleveland area. He had taken up a career as a social worker to make an impact in the lives of others.