Ephraim Asiata, Teen Shot Near Hunter High, Shows Miraculous Progress In Update Video
Jan 24, 2022, 10:57 AM
Hunter High football player, student Ephraim Asiata. (Photo courtesy of Instagram)
(Photo courtesy of Instagram)
MURRAY, Utah – Hunter High football standout Ephraim Asiata continues to prove he’s a miracle.
Given a 1% of survival after being shot in the deadly January 13 shooting near the high school in West Valley City, Asiata is well on his way to recovery.
LESSSS GOOOOO BROTHER @AsiataEphraim44 🙏🏽💙 Mom and dad will get u right again just have faith in GOD to help u every step of the way 😤 #EphraimStrong #AsiataStrong pic.twitter.com/abzXk04m64
— IOANA-FUALOLE Asiata (@IoanaAsiata) January 24, 2022
Ephraim’s sister shared a video clip with Ephraim is seen in his hospital bed, working his muscles with chest presses on social media. Also in the video is Ephraim’s father, Matt Asiata, a former Utah Utes and NFL running back. He’s on the floor working out near his son doing pushups.
The elder Asiata is a coach to Ephraim on the Hunter High football staff.
Ephraim’s motivating video is further proof that his survival is a miracle in a tragic shooting that saw two of his Hunter High football teammates, 14-year-old Tivani Lopati and 15-year-old Paul Tahi, killed.
“He’s out of the ICU as of a couple of days ago,” said Asiata family spokesperson Muka Atiga on Sunday. “He’s got a long road ahead of him, but we’re hopeful and we’re appreciative of the continuing support that I know we’ll continue to get.”
Ephraim Asiata is a star football player at Hunter High
A dual-sport athlete like his father at Hunter, Ephraim Asiata, was beginning to take off on the recruiting trail this winter. He received a football scholarship offer to play at the University of Wisconsin. Throughout the 2021 football season, Asiata made unofficial visits to the Hill to watch the Pac-12 Champion Utah Utes in action at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Asiata has excelled at the linebacker position, garnering early recruiting attention after his sophomore season.
But football isn’t the priority right now; it’s all about continuing to defy the odds.
“He’s just, he’s a miracle,” Atiga said. “Anything outside of the bed it’s, it’s a miracle.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
