BYU Players, Coaches, Football Community React To Sione Veikoso Passing
Dec 31, 2022, 2:23 AM | Updated: 8:49 pm
BYU football OL Sione Veikoso tragically died in an accident. Teammates, coaches, football community paid their respects to Veikoso. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football offensive lineman Sione Veikoso tragically passed away at the age of 22.
Veikoso died in a construction accident in his hometown of Kailua, Hawaii. Three other people were seriously injured in the accident that saw a retaining wall collapse.
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Once the BYU football program issued a formal statement on Veikoso’s passing, players and coaches from the BYU family shared their memories of Veikoso. The college football community also extended their condolences to Veikoso, his family, and the BYU program.
Here’s a compilation of some of the tributes for Sione Veikoso on social media.
BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake
We are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our brothers, Sione Veikoso. His passing is heartbreaking to all of us. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to his family as we share in their grief. Our love for you is forever, Sione! https://t.co/F2xSEynQpM
— Kalani F Sitake (@kalanifsitake) December 31, 2022
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
Terrible news. Our hearts are with Sione’s family. https://t.co/lLAzWb1Bkz
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 31, 2022
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 is saddened by the tragic passing of BYU student-athlete Sione Veikoso.
Our thoughts are with the Veikoso family and the BYU community 💙 https://t.co/XlpetnHVEg
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) January 1, 2023
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe
The BYU Football Family mourns the passing of our dear teammate and fellow Cougar, Sione Veikoso. May his family and friends feel our love and faith at this most sacred and difficult time. Peace be with you now and forever Sione. https://t.co/mcLuYjlf6M
— Tom Holmoe (@TomHolmoe) December 31, 2022
Sr. associate athletic director Liz Darger
Praying for peace for all of Sione’s loved ones, family, friends, coaches, and teammates as they mourn his passing. 💙 https://t.co/d61rvgC45V
— Liz Darger (@lizdarger) December 31, 2022
BYU running backs coach Harvey Unga
One of the happiest and light spirited guys on the team. A beast on the field but the kindest person you’ll ever meet off the field. Love and prayers to Sione’s family 💙🙏🏾💙 https://t.co/CyNbncqo84
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) December 31, 2022
Offensive line coach Darrell Funk
A special young man we will all miss. It was a great privilege to know you and to be able to coach you. RIP Sione. https://t.co/9yQ4x1Ylt5
— Darrell Funk (@Coach_DFunk) December 31, 2022
Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick
Sione brought positive energy to every situation. It rubbed off on everyone around him. He was humble, kind, hard working, and very funny. He will be missed. Love you Sione. https://t.co/2Y7NQrA0fj
— Aaron Roderick (@CoachRoderick) December 31, 2022
Passing Game Coordinator Fesi Sitake
I’m going to miss this young mans smile. I was blessed to know him. Life is precious. Remember to tell your loved ones often how much you love them. RIL Sione 🙏🏽🕊️ https://t.co/Kl0xEi9nxU
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) December 31, 2022
Defensive assistant Sione Po’uha
Toka à ‘i he nonga moe fiemalie ‘a e ‘Eiki’.🕊🙏🏽❤️ https://t.co/rKfHzWyvil
— Sione Pouha (@Pouha91) December 31, 2022
Associate head coach Jay Hill
Rest In Peace Sione. Our prayers go out to your family, friend, and loved ones. https://t.co/6IzrRNUaB8
— Jay Hill (@CoachJayHill) December 31, 2022
Analyst Gavin Fowler
Absolutely heart breaking. Sione had a gigantic heart and such an uplifting spirit. We will all miss him dearly. Rest in Love brother. 💔 https://t.co/leAhLU962X
— Gavin Fowler (@gavinfowler16) December 31, 2022
Director of Campus Experience Brandon Bradley
My guy, it’s like it was yesterday when we were eating and chopping it up on the dock at Deer creek. Blessings to your family and keep watch over us all. RIP🕊️🕊️ https://t.co/h4lIUrKwi1
— Brandon Bradley (@Bbradley_BYU) December 31, 2022
Director of Football Relations Jack Damuni
His dream was to always play for @BYUfootball. On the field he was the silent and hard working man on a mission. Once practice gets done he was the most soft spoken humble person in the Locker room. Everybody loved him.
Rest in love and peace nephew I love you forever.🇹🇴🇫🇯
😭😭😭 https://t.co/z9SfNs6Qgq— #IamJackDamuni 🇫🇯 (@JackDamuni) December 31, 2022
Jasen Ah You
Sione my heart is broken. You made such an impact on my life through your example of humility, your respect for others, your kindness, and your determination on the field and in the classroom. You had such a great presence about you. You will be missed toko. Rest in love… https://t.co/f0O0FVG5Th
— Jasen Ah You (@Jasen_AhYou) December 31, 2022
Former BYU DL Bronson Kaufusi
Praying for his loved ones. I got to know Sione this year while I helped out at a class at BYU and he was in it. I always had fun talking to him, such a humble & loving guy. Rest in Love my friend. https://t.co/oO1SqSfAMo
— Bronson Kaufusi (@bkaufusi90) December 31, 2022
University of Utah football
Our hearts break for the @BYUfootball family. We are sending all of our love to you and Sione’s loved ones. 💙💙💙 https://t.co/YmZFDyjjh7
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 31, 2022
❤️
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) December 31, 2022
Utah cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah
To my brothers down south and Sione Veikoso’s family, I am so sorry for Sione’s untimely passing. May God continue to bless and protect each of you during this painful period. https://t.co/VCHVSHIDhE
— Sharrieff Shah Sr. (@UteReef33) December 31, 2022
Utah AD Mark Harlan
Our hearts ache for Sione’s family as well as @BYUfootball. 🙏🙏 https://t.co/bgNn5H6lYc
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) December 31, 2022
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert
Thoughts and prayers are with the BYU football Family and Sione’s family and friends through this tough time. https://t.co/4XHg9Hzaol
— Jake Dickert (@CoachDickert) December 31, 2022
Washington State running back coach, and former BYU RB Mark Atuaia
Reverberating thru the Tongan/Poly community right now. I recruited him outta Kailua HS a few years back as his high school coach was my former teammate. Life is so fragile, folks. Rest in Love, young Toko https://t.co/1YSuASAJv8
— Mark Atuaia (@CoachAtuaia) December 31, 2022
Hilinski’s Hope Foundation
Sending our thoughts and prayer to Sione’s family and friends. We’re so very sorry. ❤️❤️❤️
— Hilinski’s Hope (@HilinskisHope) December 31, 2022
New Mexico Bowl
Deepest condolences to the @BYUfootball @kalanifsitake families. All of us at the New Mexico Bowl are deeply saddened to learn about the passing if Sione Veikoso. We are sending love, strength and good thoughts to all who loved him. https://t.co/FamE7ZgohL
— New Mexico Bowl (@NMBowl) December 31, 2022
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football
Sending prayers to our friends at @BYUfootball and to the Veikoso ‘ohana. Rest in aloha, Sione. 💙💚 https://t.co/PhOtFVaVGY
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) December 31, 2022
Hawaii wide receiver coach, and former Southern Utah T-Bird Jared Ursua
Praying for the Kailua Ohana’ 💚🌈#TillWeMeet https://t.co/5BTqNYAYEo
— Jared Ursua (@ursua05) December 31, 2022
BYU linebacker Max Tooley
Heartbroken to see a teammate, roommate, and genuine friend leave this earth so soon. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. Rest in paradise Sione🫶🏻 https://t.co/oJilmULtHf
— Maxwell Tooley (@maxtooley23) December 31, 2022
Offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia
💔@SioneVeikoso72 pic.twitter.com/5XHpeHWBoM
— Kingsley K M A SUAMATAIA (@baby76kings) December 31, 2022
Offensive lineman Lisala Tai
😭😭😭😭
— Lisala Tai (@lisalatai58) December 31, 2022
Speechless ! We’d talk about our future here at the Y so many times . I love you and I miss you tokoua ! This next season for you ! Ofas bro ! LL72😓💙🕊️ https://t.co/sv4mA2ZQzL
— Lisala Tai (@lisalatai58) December 31, 2022
Lorenzo Fauatea
I love you brother 🤍🕊️ #72 https://t.co/1wUku9e9ej
— Lorenzo Fauatea 🇼🇸 (@ZFauatea) December 31, 2022
Joe Tukuafu
ofa atu toko. Say hi to grandpa for me!! https://t.co/UNGn3IqDCI
— JTØG🇹🇴 (@JTukuafu104) December 31, 2022
Houston Heimuli
Rest in Love tokoua https://t.co/mRyuv3wORt
— Houston Heimuli (@HHeimuli) December 31, 2022
BYU signee Siale Esera
RIL @SioneVeikoso72 . May God be with the Veikoso family during this difficult time. Ofa atu uso 🙏🏽💙🙏🏽 https://t.co/mKM52deVY2
— Siale Tuiteelagi Esera (@EseraSiale) December 31, 2022
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 Mitch’s coverage of BYU moving to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
