DOUGLAS — Members of the Coffee County football team paid a special tribute to a team mate who lost his battle with cancer.

Family, friends and other high school students said their final goodbyes to Malik Sparkman at the Coffee County High School football stadium over the weekend.  It was a touching story picked up by news organizations across the country.

As a special honor for Malik, his fellow football players carried their friend and teammate across the field one last time.

More than 500 people showed up to say a final farewell to the teen.

The high school junior was scheduled to graduate next year.