TRINITY, N.C. -- Trinity High School is honoring one of their own during Friday night's football game.
The football team will celebrate 17-year-old Tyler Bova even though he is still in Utah recovering from injuries in a crash that killed his family. Trinity's two football captains will be walking out with Tyler's helmet, that has signatures and messages of hope from those in the tight-knit community, according to Trinity High School.
The team, students and fans will hold a minute-long moment of silence.
The helmet will be placed on a stick on the sidelines for players to touch before they head out on the field, kind of like a 12th man.
So far Tyler has had 17 surgeries.
An SUV hit the car the Bova family was driving while they were vacationing in Utah back in June.
The mother Holly, father Tyrone, and son Haden died. Tyler was the oldest son of Holly and Tyrone, and lone survivor.
David Parrish was a close friend of Tyler's parents, and his son Caleb Parrish and Tyler are best friends. David said he is going to "step up and be a father figure" to Tyler moving forward.
Parrish says he talks to, and FaceTimes Tyler every other day. He says they're hoping to have Tyler back in North Carolina in five weeks. His doctors say it's possible. He's had to stay in Utah since the accident for medical treatment.
Parrish said Tyler is very busy and working hard on rehabilitation. He goes to speech therapy, physical therapy for walking, behavioral health classes and more.
Parrish says his grandmother Cathy, on Holly's side of the family, has never left his bedside through the whole ordeal. Even Tyler's girlfriend deferred one year of college. She was expected to attend UNC Charlotte. She's been by his side through thick and thin, and is staying at a Utah Ronald McDonald house for the time being.
When Tyler is ready to leave Utah, his maternal grandmother plans to move into the Bova family home with him.
A close family friend made the Facebook group 'Built Tyler Tough.' They constantly update the more than 9,000 followers on Tyler's current condition.
