There are tens of thousands among us dying each year from fentanyl, and even a rare multi-sport athlete at Southern Utah University wasn’t immune from its dark and deadly effect. His tragic story took a positive turn this week with an official recognition by school officials.
Though he died two and a half years ago, SUU awarded football player Taelin Webb’s family his university diploma at halftime of the Thunderbirds’ game with Utah Tech on Thursday night.
This is the tale of Taelin Webb, a name that might not ring loudly in the national sports arena, but echoes loudly in the hearts of those at SUU. You can read more details about Webb in this story by Preston Ferry, brought to my attention by proud alumni booster and former SUU golfer Rhett Long.
Webb wasn’t just another athlete; he was the embodiment of passion and resilience, and a son of basketball royalty. His father, Vonn Webb, is a legendary coach, most recently an assistant coach at Fresno State.
Taelin Webb attended Eleanor Roosevelt High and was a third-team All-State basketball player in California. He won the high jump at the Arcadia Track meet as a prepster and ended up playing basketball at Cal State Northridge.
Webb’s journey took a dramatic turn on a delayed flight in Denver, where he saw a documentary on NFL receiver Victor Cruz that ignited a fire for football. At an ungodly hour, amidst personal turmoil, he made the call to his father: He wanted to play football. It was a moment that would pivot his life from the hardwood to the gridiron.
“Just go do it,” his father admonished.
Webb made his way to Cedar City, where he was on the Thunderbirds roster from 2016 through 2018.
SUU’s coach, Demario Warren, saw potential where others might have seen a gamble. Here was a kid whose football knowledge was more “Madden” than “Monday Night Football,” yet his athletic gifts were undeniable.
Webb’s transition wasn’t just about changing sports, it was about redefining himself under the grueling dawn workouts and relentless questioning to grasp the game he was now passionate about.
Webb ended up being the best defensive back in SUU’s program by the time his eligibility was over.
Years ago, acting interim athletic director Todd Brown got a call from Taelin asking for some help with fees and fines he’d accrued at school, hurdles that kept him from graduating. Brown wasn’t sure what he could do to help in an atmosphere so different from today’s NIL and paid athletes.
“Our interpretation of the NCAA rules then was you could not retroactively do anything,” Brown told the Deseret News, “and it was past the time we could help because of restrictions.”
Fast forward to news of Webb’s death. Brown felt moved to go back and research emails from Webb and see what those conversations were all about.
“I remember thinking, ‘Did this kid really graduate?’” Working with academic folks, he was told absolutely, Webb had earned his degree.
“My head started spinning. We had to get something done, but it seemed too rushed and it kind of fizzled out,” said Brown.
Then one day recently, a basketball manager found a jersey with Webb’s name on the back. He’d come to SUU to play both basketball and football. “I remember him as a football player,” said Brown.
“I called his old coach and was told it was Webb’s intent to play both sports, but he settled in on football. I thought his father would certainly want his jersey that the manager was just wearing around.
“Within days of that happening, assistant basketball coach Donald Williams, who was great friends with his dad Vonn Webb, called and had him on his podcast. I thought this was just too much of a coincidence, I’ve got to revisit the whole thing. Everything just fell into place and started working out, somewhat miraculously, to tell the truth.”
Thursday night, Webb’s family was presented with his SUU diploma as the provost read his rights with the dean over the college and his father was presented with the framed jerseys Webb wore.
Said Brown, “My motivation for the whole thing has always been that we all suffer loss and losing family, friends, those things are difficult. But sometimes in life there are easy reminders that they existed and that their presence is still felt. I thought, ‘We’ve got to get this done.’ And lots of great people on our academic staff, our provost, president and everyone said ‘Yep, let’s do this.‘” The goal was to award him posthumously.
Taelin Webb’s impact at SUU transcended sports. He was the guy with the infectious laugh, the one who wrote, hosted and broadcast a podcast across campus media and wrote for the campus newspaper.
Known as “Tae Trilly,” he was a beacon of positivity, a bridge between athletes, students and faculty. His story isn’t just about athletic transition; it’s a narrative of community and character.
However, the sports narrative often glosses over the personal battles behind the scenes. Taelin’s story took a tragic turn when an accidental overdose took his life. It came from a Percocet pain pill someone had laced with fentanyl.
Fentanyl poisoning is killing Americans at the rate of a hundred thousand a year. It’s a stark reminder of the perils lurking in the shadows of athletic glory or even the lives of neighbors and family members across the country.
His father, Vonn, transformed this tragedy into advocacy by establishing "Stay Shaded," an organization to push for awareness of the dangers of fentanyl.
Fast forward to now, in a twist of fate, Taelin’s legacy not only lives on, but is celebrated.
This week, as the university hosts events in his honor, we’re reminded that Taelin’s story isn’t just about sports. It’s about the impact one person can have, on and off the field.
It’s also the tale of a school that took care of its own, and made a big effort to bring more peace to his family and memory. That’s a big deal.
In the end, Taelin Webb’s saga is more than a sports story. It’s a lesson in humanity, community and the undying spirit of an athlete who changed the game by changing his game.
