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BYU players sign special posters for Amy Bates Reynolds and her family after the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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BYU players sign special posters for Amy Bates Reynolds and her family after the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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BYU players sign special posters for Amy Bates Reynolds and her family after the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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BYU junior safety Malik Moore runs with the ball after making an interception during the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo

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BYU sophomore running back Tyler Allgeier celebrates scoring a touchdown during the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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BYU fans support their team during the 21-19 BYU win over Washington State at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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As the BYU football players finished circling Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., high-fiving their fans after their 21-19 win over Washington State, they found a family asking them to sign a pair of unique posters.

One of the signs read: “R.I.P. DAD BYU’s GREATEST FAN!”

It was held by Amy Bates Reynolds and her four children — Laney, Donovan, Finley and Brogan — who had made the trip from Rathdrum, Idaho, which is northwest of Coeur d’Alene.

The individual the sign was recognizing, however, wasn’t able to be there — at least not physically.

Reynolds’ father, Daniel Bates, died two weeks ago at the age of 79 from pneumonia, Reynolds said as her emotions became nearly overpowering.

“We were hoping he would’ve gotten to come but he didn’t get to,” Reynolds said. “We came for him. I know he’s here with us.”

She talked about how Bates was a passionate BYU fan and would record all the games.

“My dad taught me to love football,” Reynolds said. “That was our thing we loved doing together. I know a lot about football, so I love watching it and getting to go to the games. This was the first time for my kids to go and they were so excited. We all love BYU because of my dad.”

Reynolds said it’s been a very difficult time for her children because they also had their other grandfather die in the last month.

“We have been emotional for the last few weeks,” Reynolds said. “My parents live on the same property that we do and I’m a single mom. My dad has done so much for us, helping us with whatever we need and being for us. It’s been hard. I’ve tried to be their to help my mom. It’s been hard on all of us.”

She said that getting to go to the BYU-Washington State game with her kids was “awesome.”

“I got to show them why I love football so much and why it is such a fun thing to do as a family,” Reynolds said. “That meant the world to me. I was breaking down throughout the game, thinking the my dad would’ve loved it so much. My kids said that they didn’t even care if BYU won or lost. They were just so happy they could be there.”

Reynolds was blown away by how caring the BYU football players were as they came over to sign the posters.

“They were so, so nice to my kids,” Reynolds said. “They showed us that they were sorry. They were so willing to sign them. One of the players gave my son his game gloves and he wore them all the way home. I think he might wear them all night. I don’t know if he will ever take them off.”

The family also got a chance to meet BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and couldn’t believe how kind he was.

“It really meant the world to me,” Reynolds said. “My kids said afterwards that they thought he would be someone who wasn’t very nice like you imagine coaches to be. For him to come over and show how much he cared by visiting with us for a minute, they felt like that was the coolest thing in the whole world. I’m sure they will remember that for their whole lives.”

Reynolds said she hopes to get the signed posters framed and hung up in their house so they can all remember their special experience as they were able to honor the memory of a passionate BYU football fan.

Pick a memory

BYU junior safety Malik Moore chased down an overthrown deep pass in the first half of the game and hauled it in for his third interception of the season, which leads the team.

When asked, however, whether he would remember that one or the two other chances he had at getting picks that slipped through his hands later in the game, Moore didn’t even hesitate.

“The two that got away, for sure,” Moore said with a grin. ‘I won’t remember the one where I got home. I don’t care about that one any more.”

Elite company

BYU running back Tyler Allgeier broke a 30-yard run in the first quarter on his fourth attempt of the game to put him over 2,000 rushing yards in his career.

He did it on his 316th career carry, putting him over 2,000 yards in the fewest amount of carries by any player at BYU (Luke Staley, 349).

Passes defended

BYU entered the game tied for No. 24 nationally in passes defended (PBUs + interceptions) and added four pass breakups today and one interception to give them 38 passes defended this year.

Extra points

BYU won the toss and deferred to the second half. Both teams scored touchdowns on their first drives of both halves. The BYU team flags were carried out by running back Sione Finau, defensive back Ethan Slade, running back Mason Fakahua, defensive back Kaleb Hayes and defensive lineman Josh Larsen. The alumni flag was carried by Terenn Houk (WR, 2011-15).

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