Former U. football player's triplet son dies after battle with brain cancer


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HOLLADAY — 20-month-old Hayes Tate died peacefully at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night surrounded by his family, the child's family confirmed.

Hayes' father, Steve Tate, is a former University of Utah football player.

Hayes, a triplet, and his parents rang the bell at Primary Children's Hospital last August to celebrate the end of chemotherapy. Doctors thought his cancer was gone.

But after a celebratory trip to Disneyland last month, the family discovered Hayes' cancer was back and highly aggressive.

Steve Tate wrote on Instagram that his son won his battle, "Because he lived life to the fullest despite having cancer."

The family decorated a tree for Hayes at this year's Festival of Trees using his popular hashtag #hayestough as a theme.

Funeral services are still pending. If you'd like to donate to help the family, visit GoFundMe.com/HayesTough*.

[Hayes has returned to his Heavenly Father. He passed away in our arms surrounded by all of his loved ones. Hayes has taught us so many things on his mission here on earth. One of the more important things Hayes taught us was it was okay to smile in times of fear. Hayes always smiled. He was an angel. Hayes' impact on this world is evident by the amount of love and support we have felt from all over the world. Hayes was tough. He faced his battle with cancer head on and ultimately won that battle. He won that battle because he lived life to the fullest despite having cancer. As Stuart Scott said "you beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live". Hayes did just that. I know that families are forever and I will be Hayes Dad forever. Our family will be okay. We will be okay. Not because it won't pain us, but because Hayes has taught us that it will be okay. He taught us that life's biggest battles cant overtake our love and determination. And this won't come in the way of our love for Hayes and our love for our family. I'm so grateful to be his Dad and I've never been so proud of something in my entire life. My son has changed the world. How amazing is that? He makes me proud to be a Dad. He's my son! How lucky am I? Thank you Hayes. Thank you for choosing our family and impacting the world in the way you did. You are the true definition of a HERO and your legacy will live on forever. #hayestough #familiesareforever #family #dadlife #cancersucks #eternity #love #eternalfamilies #](https://www.instagram.com/p/BNlki-phZW4/) A photo posted by Steve Tate (@tate28) on

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*KSL.com does not assure that the money 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.

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