Sad tidings out of Florida

The Washington State football community lost a good one yesterday when Chris Dyko, 48, was hit by an SUV while biking.

Dyko, affectionately known as “Mongo” by fans and friends, was riding a bicycle near Key West when he was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by an 88-year-old man .

It’s a sad situation all around. Dyko, who played offensive tackle at WSU from 1984-88 and briefly in the NFL, was easy to spot at tailgates and other Cougar events. After playing his prep ball at Spokane’s University High, Dyko started on WSU’s 1984 Aloha Bowl team and helped Steve Broussard and Rich Swinton each rush for more than 1,000 yards that season.

I never got to meet Mongo, so before we get to the links I’d like to pass along some of the remembrances from the people whose lives he touched, after the jump.

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Saddened to learn of the passing of former WashingtonSt.&Chicago Bears football star Chris Dyko He was on our Apple Cup party boat last year

— Bryan Bendix (@Bry1111) December 30, 2014

I can’t say I knew him well enough to say he was my friend but the few times I interacted with Chris Dyko were beyond memorable. RIP, Mongo

— Kyle Sherwood (@BigWoodWSU) December 30, 2014

I just heard the news about Chris Dyko, what a sad day. The world lost a great man and a great Coug. RIP Mongo.

— PuyallupCoug (@PuyallupCoug) December 30, 2014

Sad to hear of the passing of a buddy, Chris Dyko. Coug football legend, former Chicago Bear. Heart of gold, hug for everyone. RIP Mongo

— Mary Dorsey (@DawgGirl14) December 30, 2014

Mourning the loss of Chris Dyko aka “Mongo” longtime SEAL PT Lifer from the days of running in the Texans… http://t.co/dRzJsVwrec

— SEAL P.T. Bootcamp (@bootcampman) December 30, 2014

deeply saddened by the news of Chris Dyko. Great Coug Football player, Great Coug fan and great friend to many! Many hearts are hurting!

— Kristine Blanksma (@kblanksma1) December 30, 2014

Sad news about a friend and loyal Coug Chris Dyko. RIP

— Robbie Tobeck (@RobbieTobeck) December 30, 2014

The above tweets represent a fraction of the memories and condolences I’ve seen since yesterday. If it helps you to read them or to share your own memories of Dyko, please spend a few moments here .

Below we have links to news from around the Pac-12.

— Reports came out yesterday that cornerback Daquawn Brown is no longer on the WSU football team.

— We took a look back at WSU’s win over UC Davis in our day-after post .

— CougCenter’s Jeff Nusser looks back at WSU’s first 12 games.

— Washington had two All-Americans on the defensive line, so Joe Mathis will have some pretty big cleats to fill .

— Oregon State will host UC Santa Barbara today.

— Today’s bowl game marks the end of an era for Stanford.

— The Cardinal made short work of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.