PROVO — Offensive lineman Tristen Hoge was “one of the fellas” on BYU’s football team who tested positive for COVID-19 a day after returning from the Cougars’ 55-3 win over Navy on Sept. 7, his father told the world on social media Wednesday night.
But that wasn’t Marty Hoge’s primary reason for taking to Twitter and Instagram a few days before the Cougars will host Troy on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
“You gotta take (COVID-19) seriously,” Marty Hoge said. “The world needs to take it seriously. Believe me, it is no joke.”
Tristen Hoge came off his 10- to 14-day quarantine on Tuesday and rejoined BYU’s practices, only to feel sick again that night, his father said.
He informed BYU’s sports medicine department, and was diagnosed with pneumonia. He will be out of action a few more weeks — most likely Saturday’s game and next Friday’s game against Louisiana Tech.
“Health (is) more important than football, I guarantee you,” Marty Hoge said. “He is going to be back in a couple of weeks — but not until he is ready.”
The brother of former NFL running back Merril Hoge said Tristen had a few “side effects” after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, “but not enough to be super worrisome.”
That all changed with Tuesday’s diagnosis.
“It has affected his lungs severely. … But lucky enough, no fluid in his heart,” Marty Hoge said.
Father said son “took every precaution necessary” to avoid contracting the virus, but got it anyway. He wore a mask everywhere, practiced social distancing, and even lives by himself, as BYU quarterback Zach Wilson says he plans to do the remainder of the season.
Marty Hoge exhorted “Cougar Nation” to focus on doing the right thing and not take good health for granted.
“Don’t get upset when you can’t go watch a game when you can watch it on television,” he said. “We’ve got to be smart.”
A senior from Pocatello, Idaho, who transferred from Notre Dame, Tristen Hoge started in the win over Navy and helped the Cougars rack up 580 yards of total offense.
He will likely be replaced in the starting lineup at right guard by freshman returned missionary Connor Pay, a Lone Peak High product. Veterans Kieffer Longson and Keanu Saleapaga also know the position and could step in, although Saleapaga missed the Navy game with an undisclosed injury and was said to be “almost back” by OL coach Eric Mateos last week.