What really hit me hard is when they asked me what our dad would want. It was hard because I knew that what I had been doing the year after he died was disappointing him, not honoring him. That's when I decided I needed to live my life to honor him. – Samson Nacua
PROVO — Despite the frigid temperatures, and having to practice on a snow-covered field on Monday, Timpview receiver Samson Nacua couldn’t be happier.
The opportunity to compete once again for a state championship has just about everyone on Timpview's team smiling and excited to add to the immense success and tradition the football program has enjoyed over the years. For Nacua, who has risen to become one of the premier playmakers in the state, he’s relishing every opportunity he’s been given.
“This week preparing, having the chance we have — that I have — these are some of the happiest days ever and I’m enjoying every bit of it,” Nacua said.
Ironically, it was the worst day of his life that helped bring him to these days. Days the talented senior receiver considers to be his happiest.
The date was May 14, 2012. And it was the date Nacua’s life was turned upside down with the unexpected death of his father, Lionel.
“It hurt me bad. It’s hard to describe just how bad,” Nacua said. “I took it hard and it really changed me and not in a good way.”
Nacua talked about quitting pretty much everything in his life, including football. For him, football without his father could never be the same.
“He taught me everything I knew. Everything I was able to do on the football field, it was because of him,” Nacua said. “With him gone, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t do much of anything.”
Fortunately for Nacua, he had two older brothers, Kai and Isaiah, brothers who worked through the same grief by pushing themselves toward great success on the gridiron. Both brothers went on to star in high school, Kai at Liberty in Las Vegas and Isaiah at Timpview after the Nacuas moved from Las Vegas to Utah about a year after Lionel’s death.
Both Kai and Isaiah went on to receive scholarship offers at BYU, and while Isaiah is still working his way into the Cougar football program, Kai has risen to become the team’s starting free safety.
While both Kai and Isaiah were forging their own success on the field, they were mindful to encourage Samson to do the same.
"What really hit me hard is when they asked me what our dad would want," Nacua said. "It was hard because I knew that what I had been doing the year after he died was disappointing him, not honoring him. That's when I decided I needed to live my life to honor him."
Doing as much wasn't easy initially and still isn't. Although he's become one of the state's top players during his senior year, it took some time for him to finally reach his stride.
"I think Samson has always been talented, but this year, he sort of knows it's his last so he's pushing harder than ever to be the best player he can," said Timpview coach Cary Whittingham. "Some kids wait until their senior year until they really buckle down and that's sort of the way it's been with him. But his talent has always been phenomenal. He's now just working as hard as he ever has and that's why you're seeing the results."
Nacua's stats this year include 55 receptions for 1,223 yards and eight touchdowns. In just about every game, the 6-foot-3 athlete makes things happen whether it be hauling in a long touchdown pass or taking it the distance on a kick return.
Nacua again credits his brothers for this year's success, including inspiration drawn from an otherwise unfortunate incident perpetrated by Kai at the end of BYU's 2014 season.
Many recall Kai being shown prominently blindsiding a Memphis player after Memphis defeated BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl. The incident led to a suspension for Kai but added motivation for all the brothers.
"It made our name bad and I know Kai took that hard, we all did," Nacua said. "So this year it's been about making the Nacua name good again. Kai has done that playing great for BYU and I've tried to take his lead. We're doing it for the family and doing it for our dad. No doubt, it's all about him and doing what we know he'd want."
Nacua also knows Lionel wants him to follow Kai's success at the collegiate level. Due to some academic difficulties, many would-be suitors have stayed away, despite Samson's obvious talent. It's an issue Nacua is working hard to rectify and he recently received his first collegiate offer.
"Weber State offered me and that was a big thing," Nacua said. "Hopefully other schools will take a chance on me. I've been talking to Utah coaches and others and hopefully things work out. I want to play at the highest level and have the same chance my brothers do."
Until then, Nacua will do his best to focus all his attention this week on playing his best Friday. Chances are he may cross the goal line at least once, where his touchdown celebration includes flexing both biceps prominently, showing "5-14-12", the date of his father's death on the left and the name "Lionel" on the right.
"It's all about honoring him and it will be again this Friday," Nacua said. "It's all about living the way he'd want and my dad, I'll be thinking about him throughout the game. I always do now."
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney