BYU Playing Bowl Game In Honor Of Fan Battling Brain Tumor
Dec 14, 2021, 11:04 AM
Players and coaches in the BYU Football program huddle together before facing Idaho State on November 6, 2021. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – When the BYU football team takes the Independence Stadium field on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana against UAB in the 2021 Independence Bowl, they’ll be playing in honor of a special BYU fan.
We love you Peterson Family!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/VjyTQzwAJX
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 13, 2021
That fan is Nathan Peterson.
Peterson, a Logan native, was diagnosed with a progressive brain tumor. The BYU football program found out about Peterson’s diagnosis after their Senior Day home game against Idaho State in November.
Peterson family provides the BYU football Senior Blankets
Peterson and his wife Emily are the owners of Saranoni Blankets. Saranoni has been the provider of BYU football’s senior blankets for the past four years.
Those senior blankets are presented to the graduating class of BYU football during a ceremony before the final home game at LaVell Edwards Stadium each season.
The Peterson family are diehard Cougar fans and haven’t missed a home BYU football game the past 18 seasons.
A Uni Combo worth repeating—Goin’ MIDNIGHT VIRGIL against @UAB_FB in the @IndyBowl!! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/hWaMCtPY4j
— Billy Nixon (@byuequipment) December 5, 2021
According to a video released on BYU football’s official social media accounts, Nathan Peterson was given only four weeks to live.
So the BYU program is now playing in honor of Nathan Peterson and the Peterson family. As a tribute, BYU will wear the “Midnight Virgil” uniforms that they donned on Senior Day.
“Just wanted to let you know how much we love and appreciate everything you do for us. We feel your support and your love for our team, and our program. I know I feel it as the head coach from you and your family,” said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. “Want to let you know we’re thinking of you and we dedicate this game to you and your family.”
No. 13 BYU vs. UAB
2021 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
TV: ABC
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM — Extended pregame begins at 9 a.m.)
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.
