Idaho’s Jace Malek dies of bone cancer

Jace Malek, a former fullback who signed with the Idaho Vandals in February days before he was diagnosed with bone cancer, died Sunday.

The Idaho athletic department confirmed Malek’s death with a tweet Sunday afternoon that read “Rest in peace, Jace Malek. Once a Vandal, always a Vandal!”

Idaho also released a statement offering condolences to Malek’s family.

“I am thankful Jace Malek was part of our team,” coach Paul Petrino said. “I know everyone feels the same. Jace made me a better father, better coach and a better person. I am grateful and honored that he was part of my life. We love him and will miss him.”

Idaho honored Malek’s scholarship in 2015, allowing the freshman from Spokane’s West Valley High School — where he also wrestled — to work with the team as a student assistant coach after he had his right leg amputated in July to remove a tumor in his hip.

When the Vandals deemed their Sept. 3 season opener against Ohio “Tackle Cancer” night, Malek served as an honorary captain, joining his teammates at midfield, with the use of crutches, wearing a No. 99 jersey.  

Malek’s story drew national attention shortly after he signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Vandals in February. He entered the spotlight again after a Sports Illustrated story published in October detailed Malek’s dealings with Osteosarcoma, which included months of chemotherapy. The story also revealed that doctors had informed Malek in September that he had just three to five months to live.

In October he married his longtime girlfriend, Libby.

Following a 27-13 Homecoming victory Oct. 24 over Louisiana-Monroe, Petrino awarded Malek the game ball, calling him the “Most special kid I’ve ever been around.”

Malek’s primary recruiter at Idaho was offensive line coach Kris Cinkovich. The two regularly spoke and exchanged texts during the season. Prior to the season finale against Texas State, Cinkovich had nothing but positive words when asked about Malek.

“What he’s gone through, and the spirit and the courage and the toughness that he’s gone through it with, has really impacted a lot of young men in this program,” Cinkovich said. “It doesn’t matter what us coaches say about him, they’ve seen it and they’ve watched it. It’s helped a lot of guys grow up in their character as far as being unselfish, and what earlier in your life might have been a big deal ain’t such a big deal.

“He’s modeled what we’ve always talk about. He’s had a huge impact on our program and will for a long time, as he’s had on all of us as individuals.”

Malek would join the team in film sessions and occasionally watch practice from the sideline. Vandal players frequently spoke highly of Malek, often describing him as an inspiration.

After Malek received the Homecoming game ball, quarterback Matt Linehan had this say about his impact: “I’m never going to forget about him as I go forward through life. What he’s gone through, then to continue to have a smile on his face every day, despite what he’s going through, it’s pretty incredible. He’s a great kid and I love him to death.”

Linehan was among the many Vandal players Sunday who took to twitter to pay their respects to Malek. He tweeted Sunday, “Rest easy my friend. We will all miss you dearly. #MalekStrong.”

Michael-Shawn Dugar can be reached at (208) 883-4629, by email to mdugar@dnews.com or on Twitter to @MikeDugar.