The BYU football team paid tribute to a pair of former Michigan State players prior to kickoff in the first meeting between the two schools Saturday.
Former Spartan punter Mike Sadler was killed in a car accident on July 23 that also claimed the life of Nebraska punter Sam Foltz. Thirteen days ago, former Michigan State defensive back Mylan Hicks was shot and killed in Canada.
BYU paid its respects to a hurting program by placing roses at the 3-yard line and the 6-yard line. Sadler wore No. 3 at Michigan State, while Hicks wore No. 6.
For Saturday’s game, the Spartans’ logo at midfield displayed a No. 6 to honor Hicks. Michigan State did the same for Sadler last month in the team’s game against Wisconsin.
BYU's captains — including Taysom Hill, Jamaal Williams, Harvey Langi and Kai Nacua — presented the flowers to Michigan State's team captains before the game.
Hicks, 23, was killed Sept. 25 in Calgary, Alberta. According to the Detroit Free Press, Hicks — who most recently played in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders — and his Stampeders teammates were celebrating a Sept. 24 win at a Calgary nightclub when a fight broke out and Hicks was shot during the altercation and later died from his injuries.
The Spartans paid their final respects to Hicks, who also played briefly for the San Francisco 49ers, during his memorial service Friday in Detroit.
Sadler was traveling with Foltz and LSU punter Colby Delahoussaye when the trio were involved in a single-car accident in July while returning from a kicking camp in Wisconsin that claimed the life of both Sadler and Foltz.
The move by BYU to honor both Sadler and Hicks was well-received on social media.