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SALT LAKE CITY - A Henderson, Nevada, family faced the ultimate tragedy last Saturday when a 9-year-old boy, Austen Russell, died after being accidentally run over by his father in the family garage.
In a post on BYU fan site CougarBoard, the boy's father reached out to the BYU community for support in his family's difficult time. In the letter, he writes about Austen's love of BYU.
"He was a huge BYU fan. When he was 3 he started watching every BYU football and basketball game with me. He loved Jimmer, but for some reason he would always say Jackson Emery was his favorite player (at the time). As he started playing team sports he would always choose #3 because of Tyler Hawes [sic] and Kyle Van Noy. Starting as a 3 year old we would grill him on all the players numbers (all of basketball and football starters) and he would impress us with knowing them all. Whenever we were in the car he would ask for my phone to watch highlight Furious Monkey BYU videos or youtube Jimmer highlight videos. I don't know how I am going to get through this. Its been over six years since I watched a BYU football or basketball game without him by my side."
Faced with the tragedy, BYU former and current sports stars have responded by making public showings of support to the devastated family.
Kyle Van Noy, former Cougar and current Detroit Lions linebacker, posted a video on YouTube in memory of Austen:
Fellow #3 jersey wearer and current NBA draft prospect Tyler Haws posted his support on Instagram:
[I'm wearing number 3 today in loving memory of Austen Russell! My heart and prayers go out to the Russell family and his Dad. Stay Strong and know that we love and support you through this difficult time! #austenrussellfan](https://instagram.com/p/3aJ6O7E32v/) A photo posted by Tyler Haws (@tyhaws3) on
BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall also shared his best wishes:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Russell family. BYU Football loves you! #AustenRussellFanpic.twitter.com/Dgjj2cqLZK — Bronco Mendenhall (@Bronco_BYU) June 3, 2015
Tom Holmoe also supported the memory of Austen on Twitter:
Bro. Russell, Austen can sit next to Elder Perry in the best seats in the house for all Cougar games now. Be true and faithful! We love you! — Tom Holmoe (@TomHolmoe) June 2, 2015
The family has created a GoFundMe page to support the Austen Russell Memorial Fund, to be used at memorials at a local park.
