# #

A Celebration Of Life: Aaron Lowe

by Utah Athletics
Oct 12, 2021

Infectiously optimistic.

When Utah cornerback Aaron Lowe's friends, family, teammates and coaches came together on Monday, Oct. 11 in Mesquite, Texas, there was a common theme in the memories that were shared – that Aaron had been a light in this world.

Lowe tragically lost his life in the early morning hours of Sept. 26, the day after a homecoming win in Rice-Eccles Stadium over Washington State.

That infectious smile and attitude was all over the field during that game, celebrating with his teammates, with the fans and with the coaches.

Aaron was a light.

"Kindness flowed through Aaron's veins, like the ocean, it overflowed endlessly," cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah said. "He loved for the sake of loving and for nothing else, he just loved you."

The memories of Aaron poured out in Family Cathedral of Praise on Monday afternoon from friends and family, talking about the man that Aaron had become. They talked about his charisma, his positive attitude toward God and his family, his commitment to becoming a better person, and his smile – the smile that warmed those closest to him every day.

"I loved Aaron Lowe," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He was a special person, had a great heart, great smile and great personality. Every time he went into a room, he had that kind of charm and charisma. He approached life with clear eyes and full heart."

Aaron's full heart beat for the University of Utah. The Mesquite, Texas, native chose to move thousands of miles away from his home to be a Ute, something he took great pride in. That was evident in the locker room, and was felt deeply by his teammates.

"The first person I met when I got to Utah was Aaron," freshman quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson said. "Coach Kiel McDonald introduced me to him because we were from the same area. One thing I can say about Aaron is he was the most loyal person I've ever met. He was a stay down person – like he will do anything for you. He was more than a teammate and a friend – he was a big brother. A-Lowe was a big brother that I always wanted."

Lowe was laid to rest in his hometown, in his Utah Football uniform next to his best friend, former Utah running back Ty Jordan, who tragically passed away after the 2020 season. Lowe was awarded the first Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship before the 2021 season began to honor his best friend and don the No. 22 jersey.

The Aaron Lowe Memorial Scholarship has been created at the university to be awarded to a student-athlete in the football program who exemplifies qualities that Aaron displayed through his determination, dedication and leadership. During the service on Monday, Whittingham announced he was the first contributor to the scholarship, something he was honored to get started.

"As the head coach of a football team, we view each of these players on our team as our sons and Aaron's teammates are all brothers," he said. "We lost a loved one, we lost a family member and it is difficult. We won't get over it, but we will get through it. Aaron is gone, but he will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on in our hearts through the memories that he left us."

Whittingham announced on Monday the intention of retiring No. 22 forever to honor both Lowe and Jordan, who will leave behind an important legacy for Utah Football – to be 22-percent better every day.

It is a vow that the Utes have taken to heart since Aaron passed, something they will do to not only honor Aaron and Ty, but also their families.

"When Aaron passed away, we all met as a football team on that Sunday," Shah said. "The only thing that I could say to the team that resonated in my spirit was that our obligation is that we need to be not just better, but 22-percent better."

"I will be 22-percent better in all of the capacities that God has placed me in. That's Aaron to me. That was Aaron to all of his brother that sat here, every single coach that loved him. That was Aaron. So as I sit down, I just want you to remember to please live as Aaron lived. Be infectiously optimistic, not just positive, be infectiously optimistic."  

 

Related News & Videos