{"id":37320,"date":"2025-11-06T00:57:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T00:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/37320\/"},"modified":"2025-11-06T00:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T00:57:10","slug":"texas-tech-byu-fans-rally-behind-red-raiders-barber-after-car-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/37320\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Tech, BYU fans rally behind Red Raiders\u2019 barber after car accident"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the week leading up to Saturday\u2019s top-10 showdown between No. 7 BYU and No. 8 Texas Tech, the two fan bases have formed an unexpected alliance. Supporters of the Cougars and Red Raiders have united behind Texas Tech\u2019s official barber Ivan Ortiz, and his wife Maddie Ortiz, after Maddie suffered severe injuries in a recent car crash.<\/p>\n

Ortiz\u2019s GoFundMe<\/a> page, which had an initial goal of raising $25,000, had blown past that mark by more than $55,000 as of Wednesday evening. He told The Athletic that he was stunned by the support from both programs, especially ahead of a game that is critical for each team\u2019s postseason hopes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt went from a hate week to everybody\u2019s supporting each other now. It\u2019s more of a camaraderie instead of a war,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize this situation, my story, would bring some peace to this game, this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maddie Ortiz was injured in a car accident on Oct. 16, when, at around 2 a.m., her vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. She was transported to a nearby trauma center for treatment and then to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She was placed on a ventilator for two weeks and has had multiple surgeries, Ivan Ortiz said. Doctors told him they were uncertain whether his wife would regain consciousness with a good quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u201c[It\u2019s] a miracle she\u2019s alive right now based off her injuries,\u201d Ivan Ortiz said.<\/p>\n

God is good\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd I\u2019m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We\u2019re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time. \ud83d\ude2a #PrayForMaddie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wCdjuTSqpn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ivan Ortiz\ud83c\udf35\ud83d\udc88\u0166 (@uncommon_ivan) November 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

But Maddie has made strong progress, Ivan said. She\u2019s able to respond by squeezing her hands, showing her expressions and opening her eyes. Ivan and his 3-year-old son, Ivan Canelo Jr. \u2014 who had recently completed potty training with his mother before the accident \u2014 visit the hospital every day.<\/p>\n

Those visits make it difficult for Ortiz to provide his services as a barber. Although he was hesitant to set up a GoFundMe at first, his family encouraged him to ask the community for help. He set the page\u2019s initial goal for $25,000 at the request of his sisters-in-law and hoped it might gain traction.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been an overwhelming amount of support. As of Wednesday night, the fundraiser has raised more than $83,000 on 1,700-plus donations, according to the website. Texas Tech fans, BYU supporters, and even ESPN\u2019s college football announcer Kirk Herbstreit \u2014 who will call Saturday\u2019s contest \u2014 made donations. Herbstreit had the top listed donation, at $5,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cFootball is fun but Family is Forever. Sending love from BYU!\u201d one message said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCougar or Raider, family matters most. Sending love and prayers for a full recovery without the worry of financial stress!\u201d another read.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Ivan Ortiz has been cutting hair at Texas Tech since last December. (Courtesy Ortiz family)<\/p>\n

Ortiz, who has become a passionate Red Raider supporter since he became the team\u2019s official barber in December 2024, is shocked by the donations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in Lubbock, Texas, and people from Utah are touched by our story,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cShe\u2019s not alone, and it\u2019s showing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas Tech\u2019s new practice facility includes a barber shop where Ortiz works on Thursdays. He cuts hair for coaches and players \u2014 including quarterback Behren Morton, running back Cameron Dickey and wide receiver Caleb Douglass. Morton, who Ortiz said is superstitious, only agreed to get his hair cut after the Red Raiders\u2019 34-10 win over Utah in September.<\/p>\n

The program has supported Ortiz and his family since the accident, he said. Although he hasn\u2019t been in the facility for more than three weeks, Ortiz said he plans to return Thursday. With a big game approaching, he figures players will need their haircuts, he said.<\/p>\n