University of Houston Athletics
Honoring American Hero & Houston Alum Sam Hairston
11/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
When the Houston Football team runs on to John O’Quinn Field Thursday night, there will be a fifth flag carried by the Cougars as a white flag with a large red 34 will emerge from the home tunnel of TDECU Stadium, a flag that represents much more than a football game.
University of Houston Football letterman and Sgt. 1st Class Sam Hairston was killed in August, 2014 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, when his unit took small-arms fire from the enemy.
Hairston competed as a linebacker and defensive lineman with Houston Football from 1997 to 2000. He competed in 42 games during that time, posting 55 tackles with four sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.
He is an inspiration to all of us and will always be remembered as a great Cougar.
Hairston joined the Cougars after an award-winning prep career at Choctawhatchee High School, near his hometown of Shalimar, Fla. He was team captain and Most Valuable Player and was an All-District 1-6A First-Team and All-State 6A Second-Team selection as a senior.
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.
Hairston joined the Army in 2003 and completed the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to 1st BCT in August 2013.
His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Among his qualifications were the Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.
Hairston is survived by his wife, Staff Sgt. Tawana Hairston, and son, Hayden.
