Father Of BYU Football Player Reveals Son Had COVID-19
Sep 23, 2020, 8:22 PM | Updated: 8:37 pm
BYU offensive lineman Tristen Hoge blocks for QB Zach Wilson against Washington during the 2019 season. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
PROVO, Utah – The COVID-19 pandemic can impact anyone from all walks of life, including BYU football players who are in the best physical shape.
That was the message Marty Hoge, father to BYU senior offensive lineman Tristen Hoge, shared via his social media and with KSL Sports on Wednesday night.
BYU OL Tristen Hoge tests positive for COVID-19
“Just got the second-worst news I’ve gotten the past couple of weeks. Number one was my son Tristen was one of the fellas on the team that tested positive for COVID. After completing his 10-14 day quarantine, pretty much did it fairly healthy, a few of the side effects, but not enough to be super worrisome.”
BYU’s game against Army West Point last week was postponed due to a “small number of positive COVID-19 test results.” Tristen, a former four-star recruit, is the starting right guard for a BYU offensive line that helped the Cougar offense put up 55 points in its season opener at Navy on Labor Day. He’s considered one of the top 250 seniors in college football this season, according to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The most prestigious all-star game in college football.
“Started practice again yesterday. Of course, when you miss that much time you ball out, you’re ready to go, you’re excited to get after it,” Hoge said. “[He] was showing some pretty terrible symptoms last night. Talked to his mom and [me], the doctor, the training staff decided it was time to test him for some other problems. It ends up that he has pneumonia; it’s affected his lungs severely. Lucky enough, no fluid in his heart.
“So, that being said, health, more important than football, I guarantee you. No one is more healthy than that kid, I know. I know what his diet is, I know he does all the safety protocols –masks, social distances, lives by himself– does everything that he’s supposed to do for this COVID, you’re not immune.”
Cougar Nation!!! No one is more disappointed than us parents we can’t attend the game! Been a tough couple weeks for our boys! Cheer loud and stay positive! #GoCougs @BYUfootball @CriddleBenjamin @kslsports @CoachMateos @CindyHoge @InkedCougar @royalarmybrand @HogeTristen pic.twitter.com/1gSxNB5Iec
— Marty Hoge (@martyhoge) September 22, 2020
BYU’s game this Saturday against Troy was originally expected to have 6,000 fans in the stands at LaVell Edwards Stadium. That turned into zero fans after Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced Provo and Orem were reverting back to an “Orange” phase amidst the pandemic. The change was due to rising cases of COVID-19 in the state, but specifically in Provo and Orem.
Hoge: Everyone needs to take this virus seriously
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Hoge continued, “So, those of you who are skeptical of … man, it’s just a cold or a cough or all of this, no effects. Man, I gotta admit I was maybe one of them. But when it hits home, you gotta keep it real. So, the school, the coaches, the players, you gotta take it serious. Fans, you’ve got to take it serious. This world needs to take this serious, and believe me; it’s no joke. I’m talking to my boy, and he’s super devastated. But he knows his health is important, super important. He’s gonna be back in a couple of weeks, but not until he’s ready.
“Remember, don’t take for granted what you got in your good health. Do smart things; social distance, wear your mask. Don’t get upset when you can’t go watch a game when you can watch it on television. These kids … they’ve got to be smart. They’ve gotta be smart. So, Go Cougs! We’re gonna get after Troy this week. Until then, peace.”
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 pm, KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
