Troy Russell was just trying some "self-therapy" when he posted about his son’s tragic passing on a BYU message board. Cougar Nation though wouldn’t allow him to tackle this one alone.
On Monday, Russell of Henderson, Nevada, wrote how his 9-year-old son Austen, a “huge BYU fan,” had died after being run over.
“I don't know how I am going to get through this,” Troy Russell wrote. “It’s been over six years since I watched a BYU football or basketball game without him by my side. The love, prayers and support from our community has been amazing.”
That support was soon coming from people the Russells had never met and athletes that were some of Austen’s favorites.
When Austen started playing team sports, he opted to wear No. 3 in honor of former basketball guard Tyler Haws and former Cougar linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Upon hearing about the tragedy, both those players sent out messages of support.
Van Noy posted a video on his YouTube channel where he speaks directly to the Russell family.
“I want you to know that you are in my prayers and in my heart at this time of need,” he said. “What a tragic situation ... I am kind of speechless for words. I just wanted to show my support wearing my Cougars’ shirt for Austen Russell today and just want them to know that the family has support in Detroit. ... Know that you are in my wife’s and myself’s prayers tonight and for a long time. … Go Cougs and rest in peace Austen.”
Van Noy also said he would be sending a care package to the family and especially to the other Russell kids.
Haws posted on Instagram a picture of him wearing his No. 3 BYU jersey in honor of Austen and said, “My heart and prayers go out to the Russell family and his Dad. Stay Strong and know that we love and support you through this difficult time!”
Those weren’t the only two to rain down their condolences upon the family. BYU football head coach Bronco Mendenhall posted a picture on Twitter of the football staff holding up No. 3 jerseys and raising three fingers into the air.
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe tweeted, “Bro. Russell, Austen can sit next to Elder Perry in the best seats in the house for all Cougar games now.”
Cougar fans have flooded the message board with words of support, and family friends in the Henderson community are trying to raise money for memorial benches to be added to a local park that is currently being built, as well as getting the park's basketball court and the park named after Austen.
On Wednesday, Troy Russell returned to the message board to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support.
“Thank you so much friends, family, Cougar Nation and strangers, we have never needed so much love and support as we are receiving, that we need now,” he wrote. “We can not make it through this on our own. Last night my wife and I were talking about how wonderfully overwhelming it has been, and imagined the opposite — if everyone just ignored us and left us alone. The most difficult times are when we are alone, especially trying to sleep — reliving the tragedy in our minds over and over and over again. May our Father in Heaven bless every single one of you with what you stand in need of for the love you have shown our family!”