Blaze family pays tribute to Skaggs

Utah Blaze player Justin Skaggs was remembered on Monday for his love of family, football, hunting, hard work, country music and Jesus Christ during a memorial service at EnergySolutions Arena.

Skaggs, who had been with the Blaze for both years of the team's existence, died of complications from brain cancer on Friday afternoon, just days after his initial diagnosis. He was 28.

His life was celebrated during a service filled with amusing stories about Skaggs and tributes from teammates, Blaze coach Danny White, his father, Dave Skaggs, and religious leader Pastor Cory Anderson.

The closing song to the service was a recording of "Hard Workin' Man" by country stars Brooks and Dunn, a favorite of the departed wide receiver/linebacker. It was appropriate because time and time again during the 90-minute service, Skaggs had been praised for his hard work and determination.

"If anything, Justin gave you effort to a fault," said White. "His whole philosophy was: 'If you are not getting it done, try harder, try harder and try harder. You'll get it right."'

Blaze lineman Hans Olsen and a number of other Blaze teammates wore camouflage-colored T-shirts to the service as a tribute because Skaggs often wore camouflage. Olsen told some of his favorite stories about Skaggs' difficulty and determination to learn a new play, his forgetting his shoes and having to practice in Las Vegas wearing cowboy boots, and how teammates often ribbed Skaggs for his love of hunting.

Olsen also spoke of the quiet, emotional inspiration Skaggs gave the Blaze team on June 4 — the day of his biopsy — when he arrived in the locker room just minutes prior to Utah's home game against Colorado. The Blaze won the game, 51-14.

"I could see in the eyes of the guys on the team what it meant for him to come into that locker room and for him being there," said Olsen. "I have never in my life been so inspired by a man — and I've been around some great ones."

Blaze kicker Steve Videtich told of a golf outing to Thanksgiving Point when Skaggs, after hitting a ball in the rough, stalked a couple of deer he came across, getting as close as possible, while the rest of the golf party played on.

"Justin had a lot of passions in his life," said Videtich. "He loved God, he loved his family, he loved his friends and he loved football. Last year we found out on a warm sunny day that golf was not one of his passions."