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ROY — While a "Hail Mary" pass that wins the game may seem miraculous, members of Roy City's football community say the strength of one teammate goes beyond an incredible win.
Friday, the Roy High Royals faced rivals Fremont High School in a close game that was ended by quarterback Tyler Skidmore throwing a late, 45-yard touchdown pass to Justin Weaver, Sports-Kings reported. The pass, nicknamed a "Hail Mary" for its luck-and-a-prayer likelihood, won the game for the team. But those close to the team know the miraculous pass signified more than another win for them — it was a way to honor one of their team who was facing grief and pain.
Late Wednesday night, a little more than one day before the game, 15-year-old "Baby" Tee Eteuati's mother unexpectedly died of a heart attack after experiencing cold-like symptoms for some time before. Baby Tee was told by his coach that his mother was headed to the hospital. Hours later, she passed away.
"They said she was slowly dying," Baby Tee said.
While many expected him to sit out of Friday's game, the teen came and played his part, and the community showed their love for him.
"She wanted me to go and she said she wanted to be there, so I played for her," Baby Tee said.
"He had made the decision on Thursday that his mother would want him to play. He came into me on Thursday and told me he would be playing," said Roy Football Coach Fred Fernandez. "I have kind of a special bond with him, because my mother passed away when I was a 15-year-old kid… I know what he's going through and this may be one of the toughest, if not the toughest thing he'll ever have to deal with."
For football mother Rani-Sue Horrocks, who attended Friday's game, the feeling was palpable.
"What an amazing honor for this woman who is not going to watch him play. It is such an amazing feat for that woman to teach her son to persevere and that life is bigger than all of us," she said.
Schoolmates and teammates chanted Baby Tee's name, offered comfort to him and his family and pulled together for him. Teammates renamed the game-winning pass to Tina's Tip, Fernandez said, because a lot of the team members felt like she might have had something to do with it.
"Before the play I did a little prayer and asked to help out... I just ran the field and celebrated with my team and thought of my mom," Baby Tee said.
The crowd thought she might have had something to do with the pass completion, too.
"You could feel that team pulling together and that sense of support and love," Horrocks said. "After that game, even though he wasn't part of catching the ball or throwing the ball, everybody was aware that this win was miraculous. You saw people going up to him and his family, and instead of celebrating the win, they were comforting him and his family."
The support extended beyond the game, however. Those close to the family set up accounts* for the Eteuati family at Goldenwest and America First credit unions to give financial aid for the funeral expenses.
Horrocks — a heart attack survivor since 2011 — wants to educate other women about heart disease and the warning signs for which they should watch. Horrocks said she caught the symptoms early, but was misdiagnosed at first. Two months after her initial doctor's visit, she was taking a stress test at the hospital when she suffered a heart attack on the treadmill. Her heart was 80 percent blocked, but she lived through the experience. Tina Eteuati's death has invigorated her to help other women who may not recognize the red flags, and hopefully prevent another mother's death.
"I'm one of those rare people, I don't know why I was left here," Horrocks said. "I'm thankful I'm here and can tell that story and hopefully save someone else."
Friday night, KSL's Game Night Live show will be at Roy High School to honor the Eteuati family. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. to watch Baby Tee's father deliver the game ball.
*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
