An abrupt and unexpected -- and absolutely tragic -- family event forced Taysom Hill to forego BYU’s end-of-spring activities Saturday.
Earlier in the day, reports had surfaced that the quarterback had to leave the Cougars’ spring game to attend to a family matter/emergency/situation. A short time later, the specifics behind the development emerged as, according to multiple reports, Hill’s 31-year-old brother, Dexter Hill, died suddenly at his home in Idaho.
As portrayed in this 2015 profile from the Salt Lake Tribune, Dexter Hill was the role model for his little brother in their formative years. And, according to KSL.com, Dexter Hill was quite the quarterback himself.The elder Hill was also a former quarterback standout at Pocatello’s Highland High and went on star at Scottsdale (Arizona) Community College, earning Western States Football League player of the year honors in 2004.
Dexter Hill threw for 2,300 yards and 19 touchdowns with just nine interceptions in 2004, when he led the Artichokes to a 9-2 record, a stunning upset of Snow College for the WSFL title, and a berth in the Valley of the Sun Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Hill also played briefly at Dixie State and Northern Iowa.
Suffice to say, the BYU football family has extended their thoughts out to their grieving teammate.
Our thoughts and prayers are with @T_Hill4 and his family.
— BYU Football (@BYUfootball) March 27, 2016
“Taysom’s going through something right now, and he knows that we’re all here for him,” BYU running back Jamaal Williams said. “We all love him, and anything he needs, we’re here for him. We’re his brothers, and if him and his family are having a hard time, we’re right behind him to support.
“We know Taysom wanted to be here with us. But he has to do what he has to do for his family, and we support him 100 percent.”
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Taysom, his family and all of those affected by Dexter Hill’s passing.