Six Ways the 2024 BYU Football Team Exemplified the Church's Values ​​and the University's Mission, Church News

In a year full of milestones and anniversaries, Brigham Young University's No. 17 football team capped an exciting 11-win season with a convincing win. 36-14 win over the No. 23 ranked Colorado Buffaloes at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, on December 28, 2024.

At one point, the Cougars were 9-0, ranked No. 7 in the national polls and thought they were headed to the 12-team College Football Playoff. The memorable season began BYU's 100th year of football and on the 40th anniversary the teams National Championship 1984.

In addition to the exciting games, headlines and achievements, BYU was praised for its values, sportsmanship and team culture in a podcast interview by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Seventy and Church Education Commissioner.

He applauded how the football team, including 55 Returned Latter-day Saint missionariesrepresented the mission of BYU and its sponsoring organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and said: There is no other place like it.

Added Elder Gilbert: It's not just about encouraging sports, but about these teams doing it in a special way. And I think this football team does it in a special way. I always applaud BYU, but if they can reflect the values ​​of the Church and of the university, it's a different gear, and deeper and more meaningful.

The thought was repeated in one October 28 post on social media by BYU President C. Shane Reese.

It's amazing to see the success and excitement, but even more inspiring to witness the dedication our athletes and coaches have to our greater mission. Our team fights not only for victory on the field, but also to uphold the values ​​that define BYU's integrity, faith and service, President Reese wrote. From building bridges in the Big 12 to maintaining service-oriented tailgates for our incredible fans across the country who are Christian in their fandom, our entire athletics program shows that competing with a higher purpose truly sets us apart.

Looking back on the season, here are six ways the BYU football team went beyond the game to represent the mission of the university and the church.

1. Mentoring BYU-Pathway Worldwide students

Through technology, the football team mentored BYUPathway Worldwide students in Africa, South America and the South Pacific, fostering global connections and fulfilling the university's motto, The World Is Our Campus.

BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake said these interactions helped alleviate players' anxiety and stress and promoted a sense of gratitude and appreciation.

As a result of these connections and efforts, BYU-Pathway Worldwide student Faith Kisakye provided a pre-recorded pregame prayer from her home in Uganda, which was shown before BYU's home game on September 21.

2. Faith-oriented

BYU received positive attention for having the only Jewish quarterback in college football, Jake Retzlaff, one of only three Jewish students in a student body of 35,000. Early October, CBS Sports and ESPNs College GameDay both released videos about his experiences as a Jew at BYU.

Retzlaff said his experience with faith on campus has been transformative. Other players who are not Latter-day Saints have also shared how they chose to attend BYU because they know what it stands for.

I came here because I thought I might not fit in with the culture, so this will be a place where I can just focus on school and football, Retzlaff said. The Associated Press. But I discovered that I fit in in a way. People are curious. And when everyone around you is so faith-oriented, you want to explore your faith more.

3. Service and friendliness

BYU alumni organized for the third year in a row Cougs care foreplay tailgate events at every road game with service projects for local nonprofits.

BYUtv produced Big storiesa documentary series with stories about hope, integrity and perseverance of opponents.

BYU fans also showed friendliness toward visiting Big 12 fan bases, which drew positive responses Desert News reports this.

When they hosted Kansas State in September, the staff handed out ice to K-State fans and the BYU band played the Wildcats fight song, both home game traditions that continued throughout the season. BYU fans also donated $40,000 to support a cancer fundraiser organized by Kansas State freshman quarterback Avery Johnson.

In a letter to students, faculty and staff, President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and former university president in the 1980s, congratulated BYU and Cougar Nation for the remarkable goodwill you have shown to Kansas State University, including your support for the quarterback's high school coach, playing the Kansas State fight song and providing an atmosphere and an enjoyable time, he wrote.

President Holland concluded: The social media is on fire with everything that has been done, including defying gravity by the Cosmos. I am so proud of your courtesy and behavior.

4. Christ-centered locker room speech

After BYU's dramatic 22-21 victory about the University of Utah in November, Sitake quoted Helaman 5:12 from the Book of Mormon and gave a locker room speech about being Christian and loving your opponent. The speech was featured in The cutthe weekly highlights video produced by the BYU athletic department.

It is important that we remain humble, it is important that we love even our opponents, so we have taught you that. We lay the foundation. We're talking about Helaman chapter 5, verse 12, you build the foundation, and it will not fail, said Sitake, who said he learned the lesson from legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards when he played for him in the 1990s.

It's what tough guys do, Sitake said. [LaVell Edwards] taught me that lesson, and after that I just tried to love as many people as I could, and now they're here with me, and I call them my brothers, and who knows what can happen and what relationships you can have just by be kind and Christian. … That's the beauty of the gospel in football. There's nothing like it, and that's what tough guys do.

5. Post-game prayers

Another way BYU connected with religious opponents this season was by praying with them on the field after games.

6. Team support

When BYU defensive coordinator and head coach Jay Hill, 49, suffered a heart attack early in the season, the football program and community rallied around him and his family to offer prayers and support. ESPN.com reported.