Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, a former standout football player at the University of Houston, has come home; in a flag draped coffin. Rest In Peace Soldier!

Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, age 35, from Houston, Texas, was Killed In Action on 12 August in Afghanistan from injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire.

Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston was a paratrooper and platoon sergeant with A Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C. He joined the Army in 2003 and completed the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston was not only the bearer of a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and many others, he was also a standout football player, 35, competed as a linebacker and defensive lineman with the University of Houston from 1997 to 2000. He competed in 42 games racking up 55 tackles, four sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.

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