A year after Tanner Scoresby’s death, younger brother McKay talks about grief and wearing No. 84

Note: As a bonus to our readers who have followed us into Year 3, the East Idaho Sports staff will post a special story on Sundays – Could be a column, opinion, feature, or just something fun and goofy. Hope you enjoy and thanks again for coming along on this journey.

IDAHO FALLS – There are a million cancer stories out there.

Each one sad and soul-wrenching.

Each one a story of someone gone too soon and for some reason that doesn’t make sense. Some reason that’s always devastating to loved ones that have to watch the effects of the horrid disease.

“It was a hard day,” McKay Scoresby recalled. “We thought he had pneumonia and couldn’t really breath.”

It wasn’t pneumonia. In the end, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, eventually took the life of Tanner Scoresby.

He was 18.

Tanner and McKay, the younger brother by two years, had been nearly inseparable while growing up.

This is McKay’s cancer story in remembrance of his older brother.

The grief still lingers

It’s been just over a year since Tanner died.

“Having a brother, especially an older brother, is the strongest bond you can have in this life,” McKay said. “Him just being there and taking me through the steps of life and just getting me out to workouts and just being the great brother that he is helped a lot.”

McKay and Tanner grew up playing sports. The good-natured competitiveness was evident early on as the two played basketball and baseball, usually on the same team.

Both eventually played together at Thunder Ridge High. By the time Tanner was a senior, McKay was a sophomore and both were making their mark at the varsity level, playing football, basketball and competing in track and field.

“Tanner was a great kid,” football coach Michael Berger said. “He was quiet until he got on the field and then he was ultra-competitive.”

Berger said McKay embodies the same competitive fire.

Diagnosis

Tanner began having trouble breathing and went through a series of medical tests before eventually being diagnosed with cancer on Jan. 31, 2025

The community rallied around the Scoresby family, helping to raise money for Tanner’s battle and showing support.

Months of chemotherapy showed no improvement.

“It was the worst experience I’ve had knowing someone you idolize and is so strong has cancer,” McKay said.

Tanner died on Sept. 10, 2025.

McKay said he recalls the community support and how special that was during those painful months.

“The community coming together was so big,” he said. “It shows people are always there for you, whether from a different school or a different part of the community. Seeing everybody coming together meant a lot to my family.”

Tanner liked Pokemon. He cherished his family. His passion showed every day on the field or on the court. As noted in his obituary, the bond and time spent with his teammates was precious.

“Especially a sibling,” McKay said of the pain of losing a loved one. “You’re two years apart and always playing sports with them and having that older sibling and you being under their wing. It’s super hard and I don’t think people understand how hard it is to see someone go through something like that and expect to be mentally fine about it.”

RELATED: Thunder Ridge student-athlete diagnosed with cancer during his senior year

RELATED: Community rallies to raise $75K for treatment that could save teenager fighting cancer

RELATED: ‘A true warrior in his fight.’ Tanner Scoresby dies after months of battling cancer

The past year

McKay, now a senior, says the heartache continues, but there is some comfort being back on the field and playing sports.

In honor of Tanner, McKay wears his No. 84 jersey.

“Putting his number on every day makes me think of him,” McKay said. “I’m out there not just representing my team, but my family, and more specifically, my older brother.”

McKay said the feeling runs deeper than just the jersey.

“I always feel him around,” he said. “He’s in heaven and he’s always watching over us and his friends, and we know a lot of people have experienced his presence around us.”

On the field

“Tanner and McKay, it’s really special,” Berger said. “You can tell the effort (McKay) puts in, the passion he puts back into football. That’s something that Tanner would have wanted and I think that’s something really special by McKay to do that for his brother.”

No. 84

Berger said there have been discussions about what to do with No. 84 when McKay graduates. One option would be to retire the number. Another option would be to make the 84 jersey a special distinction for special players.

Younger brother Kameron is a freshman and will likely wear 84 next season.

As for McKay, his future plans include going on an LDS mission after graduation and possibly playing college ball when he returns.

Whatever happens, he said Tanner is always with him in spirit.

“I want people to remember him for his fight,” McKay said. “To never give up, even if it seems hard. Rely on your loved ones and to always stay strong and have strong relationships with your family.”