To the Maritan family, my brothers and sisters at Nimitz and Memorial and to everyone who met Doug: Such a tragic loss of a good man. It simply did not matter to Doug your ethnicity, religion or creed, if you were good to others then Doug was a good friend to you. He simply loved life and people and lead such a shining example to myself on how to treat everyone. Whether you played athletics, were in the band, a hood, a geek, whatever -- Doug treated everyone equally. It could have been so easy for him to be cocky since he was the star athlete and coolest guy in school, but instead he embraced people of all walks of life and made sure they all felt special - such a great lesson to learn during impressionable years. His example and leadership made Nimitz and Memorial special places to attend and his demeanor and smile will always remain in my conscious for the remainder of my life. I know for sure I am a better man, husband and step father because of him and what he taught me. I played football with Doug for years, was in many of his classes and even worked construction with him one summer. We had some good discussions about life (holed up in a room while dodging the foreman in 105 degree heat) and I always was so impressed to listen to his inner perspectives and feelings. It is not surprising to read the outpouring of support on how many people Doug touched. As a reporter I interviewed a lot of politicians, CEOs and sports personalities and Doug had them all whipped on charisma, charm and substance. It is sad that we have already lost three fellow Chargers champions in Mike Harmon, Wade McKeel and now Doug. I knew all three personally and admired them all. Doug gave me so many memories they are impossible to all list here, but once he gathered all the seniors together at halftime against Washington when we were winning only 3-0 and gave an impassioned speech. We won 38-0. And who could forget his big black-gloved hand stretching out for the interception against Midwest City to ensure us the state title. But it was the little things that made Doug Maritan so special. A smile, a punch in the shoulder in the hall or any time you would talk with him he always made you feel special and would lift up your spirits.I am very sad today, but truly honored I knew Doug. Just think what the world would be like if everybody had more Doug Maritan in them.
