Ex-BYU Star’s Wife Breaks Silence on Toddler’s Tragic Death
A Family’s Heartbreak: Remembering Little Haze Brown
Note: This article shares a sad story about a family losing their young child. If you or someone you know is grieving, it’s okay to feel sad. Talking to a trusted adult or counselor can help.
Who Are the Brown Family?
The Browns are a family from Clovis, California (near Fresno) who have faced an unimaginable tragedy. Here’s who they are:
- Curtis Brown — Dad, former BYU football star (played 2002–2006), now works in pharmaceutical sales
- Kim Brown — Mom, works as a nurse
- Their children:
- Trey — 12 years old
- Triplets: Cruze, Kash, and Julie — age not specified, but school-aged
- Haze — their youngest, 2 years old (passed away July 26)
What Happened to Little Haze?
The Tragic Accident
- Date: July 26
- What happened: Haze drowned in the family’s swimming pool
- Type: Accidental drowning — a terrible, sudden loss
Three Weeks of Private Grief
For nearly a month, the family grieved privately. Then, Kim shared her heart on Instagram, letting the world see their pain.
Haze: The "Miracle Baby"
Important Point: Haze wasn’t just their fifth child — he was their answered prayer.
- Curtis and Kim struggled with fertility issues (trouble getting pregnant)
- They tried medical help, plus prayer and fasting (a spiritual practice of going without food to focus on prayer)
- After all that waiting and hoping, Haze arrived — their "miracle baby"
- Cousin Chandler Pearson told the Deseret News: "He came after much prayer and fasting… through some medical intervention"
Kim’s Heartbreaking Words
Kim posted on Instagram from Haze’s bedroom floor, surrounded by his things. Here’s what she shared (simplified):
"Our bright light and source of pure joy is gone. I miss him so much it physically hurts."
"I keep expecting to hear him. To see those soft curls bouncing as he runs. To hear his little laugh. To squeeze him tight. To kiss his cheeks. To tell him I love him. And then I remember."
"People say they wish they could have one more day. But I don’t want one more day. I want forever. I want my baby back."
Little details that show who Haze was:
- Loved basketball — had his own little hoop
- Beach trips — photo shared showed him at the beach
- Stole sips of Mom’s Diet Coke
- Hugged his siblings when they came home from school
- Cheered at their games from the sidelines
Curtis’s Message: "Family Is All You Got"
Just before the accident, the Browns visited BYU football practice (August 7). Curtis spoke to the team:
"There is no place like this in the country. This is a special place. The relationships and the bonds and the family you create here is like nothing else."
"Family is all you got, and this includes your teammates and coaches. I can’t tell you how many guys I haven’t talked to since I graduated who have reached out since my son passed."
"And to me, it was just like yesterday when we were in the locker room together. And I know Haze is smiling down on us right now."
Curtis’s BYU legacy:
- Played 4 seasons (2002–2006)
- All-time leading rusher in school history: 3,193 yards
- From Palmdale, California
The Community Rallies Around Them
GoFundMe Support
- Started by: Chandler Pearson (Kim’s cousin)
- Goal: Funeral expenses + family recovery funds
- Raised: Over $100,000 (as of article publication)
- Link to GoFundMe (if you want to help)
National Attention
Major outlets picked up Kim’s post:
- People Magazine
- Us Magazine
- Deseret News (local Utah paper covering BYU sports)
Social Media Response
- 11,000+ likes on Kim’s Instagram post
- 1,100+ comments — strangers offering prayers, condolences, and support
- Post shared last Friday (about 3 weeks after July 26)
Important Reminder: Pool Safety for Little Ones
Drowning is silent and fast — it can happen in seconds. If you have a pool or visit one:
- Always watch kids within arm’s reach
- Install fences with self-latching gates around pools
- Consider pool alarms and door alarms
- Teach kids to swim early, but never rely on swim lessons alone
- Learn CPR — it saves lives
Summary
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Curtis & Kim Brown + 5 kids (Trey, triplets, Haze) |
| Where | Clovis, California |
| When | July 26 (accident) → ~3 weeks later (Kim’s post) |
| What | 2-year-old Haze drowned in family pool |
| Why it matters | Haze was a long-awaited "miracle baby" |
| Response | $100k+ raised, national news coverage, 11k+ IG likes |
| Curtis’s legacy | BYU all-time leading rusher (3,193 yards) |
| Core message | "Family is all you got" — cherish every moment |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How old was Haze when he passed away?
Haze was 2 years old — the youngest of five children.
2. Why was Haze called a "miracle baby"?
Curtis and Kim faced fertility struggles for a long time. They tried medical treatments and turned to prayer and fasting. Haze’s birth was the answer to years of hoping and waiting.
3. How can I help the Brown family?
A GoFundMe was set up by Kim’s cousin, Chandler Pearson. It has raised over $100,000 for funeral costs and family needs. You can donate here.
4. What did Curtis Brown do at BYU?
He played running back from 2002 to 2006 and became the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,193 yards. He’s from Palmdale, California.
5. Why did this story get national attention?
Kim’s raw, honest Instagram post — written from her son’s bedroom floor — touched hearts everywhere. Major outlets like People Magazine and Us Magazine shared it, and over 11,000 people liked the post within days.
Final Thought
"The love you guys have and have built for each other, it will never go away."
— Curtis Brown, speaking to BYU players days before his world changed forever
The Brown family’s story reminds us: hug your people a little tighter today. Tell them you love them. Because family really is all you got — and sometimes, forever feels far too short.