Griz Nation recalls Bush

MISSOULA – There have been hundreds of heroes who’ve played for the Montana Grizzlies through the seasons, and Griz Nation lost one of its best Friday when Tim Bush, 29, died in a mining accident near Wallace, Idaho.

Bush came to Missoula out of Pinehurst, Idaho, though he played his high school ball at Kellogg. Maybe 190 pounds when he hit campus, he was another of the many walk-ons who became stars on the Griz gridiron, playing defensive end from 2000-03.

A 240-pound sophomore starter on Montana’s 2001 team that went 15-1 and won the Division I-AA football championship, Bush still holds the Griz career records for sacks with 34.5 and tackles for loss with 50.

He won the Larry Miller Award as UM’s outstanding defensive lineman in 2002-03, and he was first-team all-Big Sky Conference in 2002, when he had 13 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.

“What a shame,” said Bobby Hauck, whose first year as UM’s coach was Bush’s senior year. “I always had a lot of respect for him, for the way he played. He played so hard every play and got the most out of his time on the field.

“One of those guys who got the maximum out of his abilities. We’ll miss him. What a deal.”

Alan Saenz, who played defensive tackle for the Griz from 2002-05, said he spoke with Bush a few months ago.

“He was doing really well, was getting married and had had his first child,” Saenz said. “He was really happy. That’s why it’s just so sad.

“Obviously I wish his family all the best. Tim was a great guy. When I came in as a freshman he was one of those guys who made practice more fun. He and I became friends pretty quickly. He was underrated as a player… it’s tough.”

John Edwards, a co-captain along with Bush for the 2002 season, remembered the Idahoan as an unimposing “kind of round-shouldered” player who was nevertheless tough on offensive tackles.

“When he played so well, he just didn’t have that physical appearance of a dominating force,” Edwards, the starting quarterback from 2001-02, said. “I think people misperceived him, and that’s why he was so great. He worked harder than everybody else and had a motor that never stopped.

“Truly that’s probably why he was a captain – because of that work ethic and that demeanor. He got his orders and he didn’t ask questions; he just did it.”

Montana athletic director Jim O’Day said the last time he talked to Bush, that fire hadn’t completely gone out.

“The last time I saw Tim was a couple years after he’d finished, and he still could not make himself go to the games,” said O’Day. “He couldn’t stand going in (Washington-Grizzly Stadium) and not being able to play. I’d hoped enough time had passed so he could do that, but I’m not sure he ever got back in the stadium.”

Bush was popular with his teammates off the field.

“He’s some one I had a ton of respect for, who pushed me personally and on the football field,” said fellow defensive end Ciche Pitcher. “I got to know him well and I’m glad I did. He was a really great person.”

Bush was also well-known for his family’s signage along I-90. In what came to be a common sight for road-tripping Griz fans, Ken and his family decorated the reflectors near Kellogg with “Griz Nation” signs and put a banner on the overpass by Kingston, Idaho, celebrating No. 91: Tim Bush.

The bridge is about a mile from the family home.

“It was terrible news. Our sympathies go out to Tim’s family,” O’Day said. “For all of the Griz Nation, who follows Montana football so closely, this is a tough one for them to swallow. Tim was a very popular player for the Griz, right around those championship years and the years bridging Joe Glenn and Bobby Hauck.”