South Carolina Honors Tyler Hilinski, Brother of Gamecocks QB

Fans held up three fings in honor of the jersey number for late Washington State QB Tyler Hilinski, the brother of South Carolina QB Ryan Hilinski.

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South Carolina fans honored late Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski during Saturday's game against Alabama at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Fans held up three fingers in honor of Hilinski's No. 3 jersey number at the start of the third quarter. His brother, Ryan Hilinski, plays quarterback for the Gamecocks and wears the same number. Hilinski is a true freshman who recently earned the starting job after Jake Bentley went down with injury.

South Carolina honors Tyler Hilinski, brother of Gamecocks QB Ryan Hilinski, by holding up his No. 3. pic.twitter.com/oq3h8L6vld

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 14, 2019

Tyler died by suicide in January 2018, and doctors diagnosed him with Stage 1 CTE after his death. Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop chronicled the Hilinski family’s search for answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. SI TV also produced a documentary on the family's journey after losing Tyler.

On Saturday, E:60 aired a feature about the Hilinski brothers' bond over football and why Ryan decided to wear No. 3 at South Carolina.

"I know that it's just a jersey number of course, but I'm wearing Tyler on my jersey. I'm wearing it for all the people that are going through things in their lives," Ryan said.

For @GamecockFB QB @ryan_hilinski, the #3 on his jersey symbolizes a brother’s eternal bond.

At the beginning of the 3rd quarter during today's game, all fans will hold up three fingers in honor of Tyler Hilinski.@JenLada gives us a first look: pic.twitter.com/8hyPiEe3G3

— E60 (@E60) September 14, 2019