Former Punahou all-state safety Brian Suite has died from a rare cancer.
Suite, 28, was a three-sport athlete and played football at Utah State. While he was running for Punahou, the Buffanblu broke the 4×100 medley mark. Suite was a 2009 Star-Advertiser first-team safety.
“We’re just heartbroken. Sad. Even though we knew he was fighting an uphill battle, it’s just tough to hear,” said Kale Ane, who coached Suite during his Punahou varsity career. “We can just hope he’s in a better place and no longer suffering. He goes beyond a great athlete and player. He was a great teammate and leader.”
When Suite moved back to Honolulu last fall, the team invited him to speak.
“I’m so glad we were able to have him come talk to the team before one of our games. I don’t give out game balls, but he was basically able to say goodbye to our team,” Ane said.
Suite was on the preseason roster of the Detroit Lions after graduation from USU and played four preseason games in the NFL. His father, Howard, died of cancer in 2019. Suite was diagnosed with stage-four Sarcoma shortly after his father’s passing.
USU coach Gary Anderson issued a statement on social media.
“I have no words to describe how I’m feeling. Brian’s family, friends, coaches and teammates have lost a great one far too soon. He was an integral member of this team and of Aggie Nation that impacted the lives of all he came in contact with both on and off the field. He embodied everything that we want an Aggie to be, and his example of positivity in the face of adversity will live on. Our hearts are with his mom, Wendy, and with the Suite family at this time of tremendous loss.”
Standout defensive end Tevarua Tafiti was a sophomore when Suite spoke to the team before a game last year.
“We put the stickers for him. BSuite21, last year and he talked to us. He just said, the brotherhood at Punahou, the connection after high school and all the memories, the fun things, the lockerroom talks and playing on the field,” he said, “is the best feeling ever.”
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