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Former BYU Cougars football player Curtis Brown and his family, including his wife Kim, are mourning after a horrific drowning accident left their two-year-old son, Haze, dead.
Haze tragically drowned in the pool at the Brown family residence in Clovis, California, on July 26, police told the New York Post.
Chandler Pearson, a family friend, started a GoFundMe page and wrote on the site that the Brown family is dealing with an “unimaginable loss.”
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Haze Brown, the two-year-old son of former BYU Cougars running back Curtis Brown, tragically passed away in a drowning accident on July 26. (GoFundMe)
“Kim and Curtis recently lost their miracle baby, Haze, in a tragic drowning accident. There are no words that can ease the heartbreak they face as they grieve the loss of their precious son,” Pearson wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Many of you know and love Kim, Curtis, and their family, and have reached out to ask how you can support them during this incredibly difficult time. A meaningful way you can help is by contributing to this GoFundMe campaign. Your donation will help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses and other unexpected costs, allowing the Brown family to focus on healing and being together.
“Every act of kindness, no matter the size, reminds them that they are surrounded by a community that loves them deeply. Thank you for your generosity, compassion and support during this heartbreaking time.”
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The New York Post added that a family member found Haze unconscious in the pool and immediately called 911, prompting police, paramedics and firefighters to arrive at the scene.
An attempt was made to perform CPR on the child, but unfortunately it was unsuccessful. Haze was taken to a nearby hospital and was later pronounced deceased.
The GoFundMe page had received $77,375 in donations at the time of writing, with a goal of raising $100,000.
BYU running back Curtis Brown goes for yards against SDSU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, October 7, 2006. BYU defeated SDSU 47-17. (Getty Images)
“It’s an extremely unfortunate situation,” Clovis Police Department spokesman Ty Wood told the New York Post, adding that “adults should never let children swim unsupervised and should always learn CPR and have rescue equipment nearby.”
Brown and his wife are parents to five children, including son Trey and triplets Cruze, Julie and Kash.
Brown played five seasons with the Cougars from 2002 to 2006, including a redshirt sophomore campaign in 2003. He broke out in 2004, racking up 789 yards on 158 carries with six touchdowns, establishing himself as someone to lead the way for BYU the next season.
Brown did just that, leading the Mountain West Conference with 14 rushing touchdowns while gaining 1,123 yards on 210 carries. He also had 454 receiving yards on 53 receptions with two more touchdowns through the air.
As a senior, Brown had 1,010 rushing yards and 566 passing yards with 10 total touchdowns in 13 games.
Brigham Young University running back Curtis Brown holds the game trophy after the Cougars defeated the Oregon Ducks 38-8 in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 21, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images)
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Brown finished his BYU career with 3,241 rushing yards and 1,309 receiving yards with 36 touchdowns in 52 games. He held the speed record in school history before Harvey Unga broke it in 2009.
Brown looked to the NFL as his next step in 2007, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. However, after four appearances during the preseason, the Bengals released him before Week 1.
BYU did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pak Gazette Digital.
