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While most of the college football world was excited about the College Football Playoff semifinals, the BYU Cougars and their fans were in mourning on Saturday.
That’s because Cougars redshirt freshman offensive lineman Sione Veikoso tragically passed away on Friday in his hometown of Kailua, Hawaii. Veikoso was 22 years old.
Veikoso’s death was the result of a construction accident that saw a 15-foot rock retaining wall collapse and trap three of six men working on the site according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Emergency personnel determined that Veikoso was dead on the scene, while the two other men were taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our brothers, Sione Veikoso,” Cougars coach Kalani Sitake tweeted. “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!”
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
BYU’s official team account also tweeted a message about Veikoso’s passing.
On behalf of the entire BYU Football family, our thoughts and prayers are with Sione's family and friends during this extremely difficult time.
Rest in Love Sione. God be with you till we meet again. pic.twitter.com/Bn0oW4kylY
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 31, 2022
The program started a fundraiser for Veikoso’s family as well.
BYU football has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Sione’s family with unexpected funeral and burial costs.
Donations can be made using the link below. https://t.co/SL0BFr2QaV
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 31, 2022
Veikoso was a three-star recruit in the class of 2022 according to 247Sports. He spent two years on a Mormon mission before spending his first college football season at Arizona State. Veikoso then transferred to BYU following the 2021 season.
The 6-foot-7, 305-pound offensive lineman played in one game as a redshirt freshman this season for the Cougars.