Former BYU football standout Curtis Brown and his wife, Kim, are mourning the heartbreaking death of their 2-year-old son, Haze, following a drowning accident at the family’s California home.
Haze, lovingly described by relatives as the couple’s “miracle baby,” was found unresponsive in the family’s private swimming pool in Clovis on July 26, authorities said.
A family member made the horrifying discovery and immediately called 911, bringing police officers, firefighters and emergency medical crews rushing to the home.
A medical technician performed CPR on the toddler, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Haze was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
A GoFundMe created for the family said Curtis and Kim are facing an “unimaginable loss” as friends, relatives and supporters rally around them.
“The Brown family has experienced an unimaginable loss,” the fundraiser stated. “Kim and Curtis recently lost their miracle baby, Haze, in a tragic drowning accident. No words can ease the heartbreak they are facing as they grieve the loss of their precious son.”
The fundraiser was organized by Chandler Pearson after people began reaching out to ask how they could support the grieving family.
Donations will be used to cover funeral expenses and other unexpected costs, allowing the Browns to focus on spending time together and processing the devastating loss without the added pressure of financial concerns.
As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised more than $71,000 toward its $100,000 goal.
Pearson also encouraged those unable to donate to share the fundraiser and keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.
“Every act of kindness reminds the family that they are surrounded by a community that loves and supports them,” the campaign said.
Haze was the youngest of Curtis and Kim’s five children. The couple also shares triplets Cruze, Julie and Kash, along with another son named Trey.
Curtis Brown remains one of the most accomplished running backs in BYU football history.
He played for the Cougars from 2002 through 2006 and rushed for 3,218 career yards, making him the school’s all-time leading rusher at the time.
Brown earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2005 and 2006 after recording back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
During the 2005 season, he rushed for 1,123 yards and recorded another 454 receiving yards. He was also named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week twice.
He followed that performance with 1,010 rushing yards in 2006 while helping lead BYU’s offense alongside quarterback John Beck.
Brown’s school rushing record was eventually surpassed by Harvey Unga in 2009.
After graduating, Brown signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He appeared in all four preseason games before being released ahead of the regular season.
The family has not publicly commented on Haze’s death, and no further details about the drowning have been released.
“It’s an extremely unfortunate situation,” Clovis Police Department spokesman Ty Wood said.
Wood also reminded parents and caregivers never to allow children near a pool without close supervision. He urged adults to learn CPR and keep rescue and safety equipment nearby whenever children are swimming.
