A large contingent of former teammates, such as defensive back Trey Young, who drove in from Seattle, and quarterback John Edwards, who traveled with his family from Billings, packed the gym 30 minutes before the funeral began. But while the wearing of maroon was encouraged and ever-present, what I heard mostly was not about the Grizzlies but the story of a young man who left a lasting imprint on the communities he grew up in and the life he chose to return to. “If Tim liked you, he had your back,” said Troy Schueller, his former wrestling coach who offered the sole eulogy/Mick Holien, Griz Grit, Flathead Beacon. More here.

Question: Do you think the following adage is true: “The good die young”?

The sack-happiest man in Montana Grizzly history wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, and as a walk-on he certainly wasn’t the most highly recruited. But Tim Bush was the best, and not just on the gridiron. “Tim was a leader, always,” said Dave DeCoite, a strong safety from Truckee, Calif. “He’d get everybody amped up for games, and he was just a dominating defensive end. Not the biggest or the baddest, but he had the best heart I’ve ever seen.” DeCoite is saying this Tuesday, four days after Bush, 29, died in a mining accident near his hometown of Pinehurst, Idaho. Of all the Griz who played alongside Bush, DeCoite might’ve been the closest, and he knows more about Bush than the 34.5 sacks and 50 tackles for loss most of us remember him for/Fritz Neighbor, Missoulian. More here. (Missoulian File Photo: Michael Gallacher)

Question: A relative was surprised that Tim Bush didn’t have life insurance for his family. Do you have life insurance?

The falling slab of rock that fatally injured a worker at the Galena Mine Friday was 4 ½ feet long by 2 ½ feet wide and 2 feet thick, federal investigators said. The Mine Safety and Health Administration continues to investigate the rock fall that claimed the life of Timothy A. Bush. Bush, 29, and his partner were working around loose rock when the accident occurred Friday morning. Bush was a former All-American defensive end for the University of Montana’s football team. He worked as contract miner at the Galena Mine near Silverton, Idaho, for United Mine Services/Becky Kramer, SR.

Smith Kennedy (re: Former Montana all-American Tim Bush dies in mine accident): He was one hell of a Man. I worked with his mom, and the day he was named to the Montana Grizz all Decade Team, i have never seen anyone so proud. Her office suddenly became Grizz Central. But it was more than that, any time she talked about him she would light up it was awesome the love she had for her son. My heart goes out to their family right now …

Question: Have you known a gifted person who died much too young?

A former All-American football player at the University of Montana died this morning of injuries he received in an accident at the Galena Mine near Silverton, Idaho. Tim Bush, 29, sustained internal injuries in a rockfall in the underground mine, which occurred about 8 a.m., family members said. He was taken to Shoshone Medical Center. Bush was a standout wrestler and football player at Kellogg High School who later played football with the University of Montana Grizzlies as a defensive end. During his football career he was named an All-American and set the school record with 34 sacks and tackles, past news reports show/Spokesman-Review. More here. And: KREM2 video here. (Photo courtesy of 2003 University of Montana media guide)