Niceville to retire late player's jersey

Niceville High School will retire Taylor Haugen’s No. 80 jersey at a ceremony of tonight’s season-opening game against East Gadsden High School. Haugen, a former Niceville football player, died after a hit to the body he suffered against Fort Walton Beach in a preseason game in 2008. He was 15.

The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor Taylor’s memory. It provides grants, education and funding to athletic teams, schools and districts through its YESS (Youth Equipment for Sports Safety) Program. The foundation also recognizes and supports outstanding scholar-athletes with scholarships and awards.

Haugen’s jersey is the first to be retired by Niceville.

Tonight’s game at Eagle Stadium begins at 7 p.m.