The BYU football team honored the star’s girl cousin defensive back after the 9-year-old died tragically in his sleep – enlisting his family in practice and bestowing on him the title of “True Blue Hero.”
The Gagne family of Eagle Mountain, Utah unexpectedly lost their nine-year-old son Logan last Friday after a fun-filled night of playing with his cousin, eating his favorite junk food and FaceTime with their older brother Ryan, who was outside state. missions of the Latter Day Saints.
Logan, who went out of bed appearing healthy, was found dead by his older sister on Saturday morning in her bed from an unknown cause.
Thursday night, the Gagne family met with the players on the BYU team that Little Logan hoped to one day play for. His cousin Tavita Gagne, the team’s defender, recently returned to training after an injury.
“Yes, actually I was at home when my father called us,” said Tavita, pronounced Kavika, at training. “It’s crazy, but my cousin went to bed and couldn’t stand it all night. We just went straight up and gave them our love. I just thought, “What’s the best way [to] give them a taste of BYU Nation, and just love them, you know.”
“When it happened, I felt that it would be better if we gave them the best. This is what they deserve,” he said. “They were always about the service.”
Logan Gagne (pictured during a BYU game before his death), age nine, died unexpectedly last Friday night of unknown cause after spending a fun day playing with his cousin, eating his favorite junk food and FaceTime with his older brother Ryan who was not at home. states in the Latter-day Saint mission
The Gagniers (pictured seated) were invited to BYU’s Thursday night practice to highlight a tribute to the new team’s “True Blue Hera,” who is now an honorary member of the team. Little Logan, who had recently moved from flag to football, hoped to one day play for a college team.
His Mother Rebecca (pictured holding a photo of Logan) was seen smiling as Logan’s cousin Tavita Gagnier – pronounced Kavika – handing out BYU Gear to the family
One of Logan’s siblings was seen on Tavitha’s shoulder as the crew greeted the family.
He said it was “amazing” for his family to come and watch the practice, although he said he felt it felt like “doing something” to show.
Logan’s pat team felt they welcomed the family and offered them BYU Hats, beanies, ties and custom t-shirts with their last name printed on the back. Logan Ryan’s older brother — who was out of state on a Latter-day Saint mission when his brother died — was seen smiling in the video as he wore a BYU cap and clutched a T-shirt in his hands.
The little nine-year-old boy, cause of death still unknown, hoped to be part of the team one day, and is currently honored as a “True Blue Hero”, making him an honorary member of the team.
His uncle, J.D. Sheppard, also said that Logan would “play BYU’s top 100 YouTube games and watch them on repeat.”
“Our whole family loves BYU football, but Logan loved it on another level,” he said. Logan also moved from the flag to football this year, further motivating him to play for the college team.
Tavita (pictured in T-shirt 27) gave the family gifts for every day of the week, including ties – “for the church!” – t-shirts, caps and individual t-shirts printed with the family name
Rebecca was seen hugging the player at the event.
Logan Garte’s father was also seen cuddling and the players said, “As hard as it is to lose him, I just know there’s a piece of him here and he wants it. And it’s just special’
Given that the team offered the family a special gift.
“I know it’s all about the family,” Tavita said as the team knelt around the family. ‘I know [Logan] It was all about family. Logan’s mother Rebecca held a photo of her son on her lap as the family received gifts and tried on T-shirts.
“We know Logan will be with us this fall,” Tavita continued. “So we wanted to give you guys some special tickets to our first home game.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, who only recently renewed his contract with BYU, told on Thursday morning that the team was “saddened” by Logan’s passing.
“We are all truly saddened to learn of Logan’s unexpected passing and offered our deepest condolences to Logan’s family on behalf of the BYU football program. Logan’s cousin, Tavitha Gagnier, is a member of our team. Upon learning of Logan’s passing, our entire team was able to feel the tremendous passion and support that Logan has always had for BYU football throughout his life, and we sincerely wish his family to feel our love and support for them during this time.” Coach Kalani Sitake told on Thursday morning.
Older brother Ryan (pictured), who was away on mission travel at the time of his brother’s death, was seen wearing his New Jersey and BYU hat at the event
The team walked off the field after practicing the last name of singing logan
Logan’s mom Rebecca told Fox 13 it was “one of the hardest weeks of our lives” as she stood in her New Jersey and BYU hat.
“Just to see so many people caring and sharing the burden just a little meant peace,” she told Fox 13.
The team also told the family that they would “pray” for Logan before every game.
“They said, ‘Don’t worry, every time we go out on the field, we will pray for Logan and he will be over with us,'” Logan’s father Garh recalled the team, telling him on Thursday.
“As hard as it is to lose him, I just know that there is a part of him here, and he would like it. And it’s just something special,” Garth said at the event.
The family said they would remember Logan for the joy he brought to others. Garth told Fox 13: “When you were with him, you felt like the only person in the world. I will miss this.”
Logan showed no signs of illness last Friday when he went to bed, but when his family noticed he was sleeping later than usual on Saturday, Rebecca sent her eldest daughter to check on him. She found Logan unresponsive, and the family said that by the time they found him, he had “gone for hours.”
Earlier this week, Garth said that “chump” Logan had no known health issues and was an active kid. The preliminary autopsy was inconclusive, and the family still did not know what had happened.
The cause of Logan’s death remains unknown after the initial autopsy report was inconclusive. It could be months before the family receives the final coroner’s report.
He was a seemingly healthy child who was “active” until his death. His family said they will remember him for his ability to bring joy to others.
“He was healthy and active, which is confusing and frustrating,” Garth told KSL-TV earlier this week. “He was just such a person in our family. He’s got so much left, I don’t know how we’re going to fill this hole.
“Logan had a lot to offer because he treated people as if they were people.”
Rebecca posted a heartbreaking tribute to her son on her Facebook page on Sunday, the day after they learned he had died. “Your world can collapse in an instant… Our world will never be the same. Please pray for my husband and me to know how to breathe. Please pray for my son Ryan Gagnier [who was] on assignment [and] who was Logan’s best friend. Please pray for my 15 and 13 years and get through this tragedy.
Logan liked to play sports, especially football, and was also on the Utah junior basketball team, and planned to attend a youth basketball game this weekend. The family said that they would go in his honor.
“This is my nephew who was tragically and suddenly taken away in his sleep. As we search for answers as to why this tragedy happened, we remember his formidable personality and the many, many times he struggled to make us all laugh,” his aunt, Camie Sheppard, wrote on her Facebook page.
The family started a GoFundme page to help cover their funeral expenses. It raised $42,000 out of a planned $50,000.