CougarCorner

BYU OL Sione Veikoso dies after retaining wall collapses

BYU offensive lineman Sione Veikoso died in a construction accident in his hometown of Kailua, Hawaii, on Friday. He was 22 years old.

A total of six men were at the site when a 15-foot retaining rock wall behind a home partially collapsed and trapped three of them, the Honolulu Fire Department said, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Veikoso was pronounced dead on the scene, his family confirmed to the Star-Advertiser, after emergency personnel cleared the rubble.

Very sad.

Fox is reporting this. He had served a mission to Brazil, after which he went to Arizona state and then to BYU. Condolences to the family.

I don't know much about Sione, but this much I do know:

He was a returned missionary and BYU athlete who was back on the islands during holiday break doing construction work near home. This made me think for a minute. What was I doing during holiday breaks when I was in college? I was usually sleeping and hanging with friends and being leisurely. Sione Veikoso was a hard working man who valued his community, his church, and his school. These are things I respect and admire.

Prayers for Sione and family.