Catching up with Kehl Vol. VI
“The greater purpose…
A bit over a week into camp we had the opportunity to see an early screening of a football movie that wasn’t due out for another 2 months. It came on one of our rare half days (a momentous occasion wherein we only had meetings, practice and football half the day) so it presented a bit of a dilemma – go to the theater and watch this movie which may or may not be cheesy (it sounded cheesy and cheaply made), using up several hours of precious free time, or do something else, i.e., rest, study, talk to people at home, did I mention rest? At any rate, there were only 20 to 30 of the 80 players at camp that ventured over to the theater for the viewing of “The Express.”
Sometimes the most profound epiphanies come in the most unexpected places. I walked into the movie expecting to relax for a few hours. I walked out with a vision. In all, it was a good movie. But it had a great message – an awe-inspiring message. This true story shows how Ernie Davis overcame the odds and obstacles to change the way people in his day thought – and he influenced the lives of many people. I won’t spoil the movie – but at the very end he is giving advice to a young man who, like himself, has incredible football ability and potential. His simple words shook me –
“Football is just a game…what matters is what you play for.”
Sometimes the greatest wisdom, the messages we most need to hear are simple reminders of what we already know. Football is just a game…but at BYU I learned that what you play for determines whether it remains just a game – a violent contest of men throwing their bodies into each other – or whether it transforms into a banner of hope and honor and courage.
I was reminded on that special half day that I knew better, had been taught more, and was going to play from a deeper place. I looked for the closest opportunity to apply what I had learned, apply what I had already known – and it wasn’t far. The New York Giants training camp is renowned for it’s presence of fans at each and every practice. On average, more than 2000 fans attend each humid day in Albany. If you recall from before, I told how one rookie duty was the carrying of veteran helmets and shoulder pads off the practice field each day. I explained how carrying up to 4 sets of pads and helmets was the last thing you wanted to do after being beaten and abused for 2 hours in the humid sun in an NFL training camp practice. The second to last thing you wanted to do is stop along the way and sign autographs. Not that you don’t appreciate the fans, or their support – you love both. But you are tired, your hands are full, and you only have so many minutes to undress, ice, shower, and eat before the next meeting starts (In fact I was once late on account of signing too many autographs). Most players sign none, or only a few, before heading into the locker room to maximize the short amount of free time we have each day. I decided to sign for everyone that asked. Nothing spectacular, but it seemed an easy enough way to push forward that Banner I’d been taught to carry. Funny thing is I always got more out of it than I put in. I left practice each day physically, mentally and emotionally drained. But every day, 5 minutes into signing, and especially talking and interacting with the people, I soon found my spirits lifted, my mood changed, and I had forgotten, at least for a while, about the rigors of practice that day.
There are countless experiences I could relate about the literally hours I spent trying to, in a small way, give back to the people who came to watch us at training camp. But I’ll show you the one that definitely touched me the most. When camp ended and we got back to Giants stadium, there were several letters in my locker. I’ve attached one I received from Kevin Corcoran as well as the picture he sent. I do this not to beat the drum of Bryan Kehl – but to beat the drum of BYU, the drum of Tradition…Spirit…Honor, the drum of why I play the game:
Dear Bryan,
My wife wanted to know how I could tell you were a rookie and I pointed out that you were carrying two other players’ gear off the practice field. It happens at every level of the game. To me what really stuck out is that by far, you signed more autographs than any other player even with all the extra equipment. It seemed that you walked slow enough to sign every football, hat, program or scrap of paper that the kids put in front of you. I told my wife you were the picture we needed to have for our son Eddie. I imagine you’re a good football player but as a person, I imagine you’re better.
Eddie is 3 years old and in March 2007 he was diagnosed with Leukemia. As they did more looking into the type of Leukemia he suffered from, his chance of survival at one point was 30%. Since that time he has undergone numerous operations, countless treatments, all kinds of radiation, plenty of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant along with a five month relocation to Boston to be near the best doctors we could find. Although we still have a very long way to go, the spot we are at on the path to recovery is a positive one.
I tell you this because you didn’t know his story when you took the picture. You readily agreed to pose and smiled as if it were a family photo (too bad Eddie closed his eyes). The picture was not taken out of sympathy for a little boy but just to make a kid happy. I had the feeling you would have stayed and taken more had it not been for more kids needing more autographs.
He may not remember the day as he is too young now but when we tell him the stories of it, he’ll be reminded of who his favorite Giant is. That moment of your time is all it took.
Sincerely,
Kevin Corcoran
I’ve been playing football since I was 8, and it was always my dream to play for ever. Playing in the NFL is literally a ‘dream come true’, and it is soooo cool to play this game and have it be my job. BUT…I don’t play for the money and I don’t play for the fame. I was given football – so I’m going to try to use football to give back. And so – I play for my family, my brothers on the team, my coaches and the fans….but most of all – I still play for that Y, that Banner of hope and honor and courage…most of all, I play for kids like Eddie.”
Bryan,
You’re the man! Thank you! Keep it up!
…..and get married!
We are all cheering for your succeess as you carry that banner with excellence!
Bryan, you’re an inspiration, that is why we are Cougar fans. We believe in the spirit, tradition, honor and hold that banner high in any way we can. I can’t do it on the football field but I hope to be able to do it in other ways.
Thanks for your example!
Go Giants!
When I think Bryan Kehl, the name strippling warrior comes to mind. I love that BYU has given us such great men to look up to. More than winning or losing, BYU football has become an example of what a man can and should be!
Thank you for the article Bryan! You are a great example and a great man.
I loved watching Bryan play because of the passion and emotion he brought to every game. Any time he steps on the field I can tell he is excited to be there.
Bryan Kehl is a great example to me for never straying from what he believes in. He is a great man, and I love hearing his interviews, and reading about how his NFL experience is going. He will do great things outside of football because of his love for life!
I was pulling for him on Sunday. I saw him going after that fumble in the end zone and he almost had it. Had the 49er player not kicked it out of the end zone, Bryan would have had his first touchdown in the NFL! Keep up the good work, and know that BYU fans will cheer for you throughout your life!
I agree with Scott…….. Get Married!!
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
So much of the world has the impression that American athletes are flat out criminals. Players like Bryan Kehl can make a real difference as they hold fast to moral ideals. Thanks Bryan for the story and the conviction to spirit tradition and honor.
Thanks for the great post! I have always been, and will forever be, a true blue fan — even to players who move on. Thanks to each of you who still carry on the Spirit of the Y and set great examples to our children. Thanks for sharing.
Following a difficult week for BYU fans, it is uplifting to see some truly positive effects of the Bronco approach to BYU football. While many (cougarboard) are blasting the firesides, the “quest for perfection”, etc., I am proud to have results of the program such as Bryan Kehl (and many others). If my choice is to go undefeated byt lose the “spirit of the Y” or lose a game or two each year and have examples for my sons such as Bryan, I will gladly sacrifice a few wins. Thanks for sharing, Bryan.
I whole heartedly agree with Oregonblue. If we lose a game or two along the way to creating these kind of leaders, it is well worth the price.
Our sons need heros like these to follow in this crazy mixed up world.
I had a personal experience with Bryan at the fireside last year before the bowl game. He took time to sign a picture I had taken at the UNLV game. He also talked with me a bit about adoption, because I have three adopted children. It was the night before the big game and he took time to speak with me.
I would rather they stop playing the games than give up the firesides. If you have never been, you should. Especially if you have teenage boys. Get them there to see that there are still heros in today’s world.
I am proud to be a member of the same church as Bronco and these exemplary young men. Truly they practice what they preach-being disciples of Christ. And despite many things said about them this week, they are still a great football team. Go Cougars!
Bryan, tremendously awesome. The banner is unfurled!!
Kehl, you made me cry. What a great story and inspiration. We all should take a minute and evaluate what we are “playing” for in this game of life. Thanks!
Bryan, your posts are always interesting and artiiculate, but this one made me cry. Thanks for that, and for teaching an important gospel message in a football blog.
Bryan,
I don’t know if you read the responses to your posts or not.
But I just wanted to tell you that today is a difficult day. When my first son was born, he was huge and when the doctor handed to me I said “Here’s our linebacker.”
He’s a strong young man and it has been our dream to have one of our sons play for BYU.
Well, today, it seems he may struggle with his hearing for a long time which would make sports like football difficult.
Just wanted to thank you for understanding what a privilege it is for you to have a strong healthy body and to have played for the greatest university around.
Thank you for representing it well.
Always a Cougar Fan!
Great insights Bryan – keep them coming. I have a few comments questions from some of the responses:
I know you and Quinn and Staff all played defense so it might be hard to know but was UCLA Davis high on something in that bowl game?? For those of us watching on TV we saw someone amped up like he was on speed one moment and literally weeping the next. I think the guy was “under the influence” from what it looked like on TV. It would be interesting to hear Oswald’s take or someone who had to look him in the eye and block him.
Quinn, your comments about the beat Utah shirt are interesting. I have always been glad our view of that game is less hyped then theirs. I get the impression if the Utes were 1-11 and the one win was BYU they count that as a winning season. Don’t get me wrong, I want badly to beat Utah but I want to beat UNLV and all the rest too.
I agree that using the term team up North is giving Urban too much credit although I know why you did it. As someone who has followed BYU since the mid 70’s I have seen the rivalry go from dominance by the Y to a pretty hard fought even battle. I used to think there was too much acrimony in the rivalry that wasn’t all in fun and was glad when LaVell befriended McBride and brought a friendlier tone to the match-up. Having said that I often wonder now if that didn’t facilitate the Utes ability to win as many as they lost once McBride got his program going??
The comment about getting the missionary aspect of the program out of the stakehouse misunderstands what the program is doing and what it can do. To say that a group of BYU football players bearing witness of the Savior to a group of YM and YW is not missionary work is truly missing the point. I can’t think of anything better this group could do and if they quit in the name of trying to concentrate on more wins then I will be sorely disappointed.
The criticism of focusing on plugging role players in is an interesting one. I don’t think the coaches want true role players. They want the best athletes they can get that are also willing to invest all of their effort and passion into the team and not themselves. As a coach you have to decide which is more important. Some take the selfish “better athletes” and use them and some like Bronco place more emphasis on buying into the team. To imply that Bronco does not want the best athletes is unfair. I am sure he would love 5 star recruits (although he doesn’t use the star system) who are willing to come in and put their egos aside and be true team players. If he can’t get that he gets the best athletes among those who are willing to play for the team.
Lastly let me say I have never been more proud to be a Cougar fan then the last 3 years. To see young men and a group of coaches have enough faith to live the Gospel in plain sight while trying to win games is victory enough for me. It is unfortunate that we have defined success as never losing a ball game. The previous two years were some of the funnest years I can remember and we lost 2 games each time.
Thank you Quinn, Staff, Bryan, Matt and you others who contribute here but mostly thanks for your example and your faith. I have four sons who are BYU fans and your influence on them can never be repaid by me.
Travis – You’re post on. We do see Bryan’s passion in the way he plays every down, but then we see the man he is when he helps the opponent up after the whistle.
Oregonblue, I think, more than anything, Bryan exemplifies the historical advice, “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” He didn’t know this child had any problems, but he was kind, went out of his way, simply because you never know.
Thanks for the forum, Gooch. Thanks for the uplifting example, Bryan.
“Enter to learn. Go forth to serve.” Way to carry that Y inside you.
Bryan, The recent loss to TCU has been tough to swallow, but BYU is about more than winning football games. Maybe the perfect season has been spoiled along with a chance to play in a BCS game, but reading your post has shed light on the situation. BYU is about the banner of hope, honor and courage you mentioned. It represents more than what’s on the scoreboard at the end of a game. My loyalty can’t be shaken by one loss and I needed to be reminded of that. At the end of the day, no matter what the result, I’m proud to cheer on a team that embodies so many wonderful things.
It’ll feel so good to spoil the Utes BCS hopes… Go Cougars!!
Bryan- You are a hero of mine…. you will succeed no matter what you do…
I’ve been to probably 2/3rds of the BYU games since 1989. I have many, many great memories. One that stands out to me, is Bryan’s last game at LES. He was such a warrior, and incrdible leader, who saw the program change profoundly during his career.
Anyway, as Bryan stood up on the podium, my son and I started chanting his name. The crowd around us joined in. Tears ran freely down his face. He was a man who was invested, and I hope in some small way, he felt rewarded by grateful fans.
Keep up the great blog Quinn, Bryan, and all of you players who are contributing. Staff, I appreciated your kind words towards Coach Crowton.
Bryan,
You are awesome, and I hope and pray that someday I will be able to be like you. Even though I am your big brother, You are a great example of how we should all be. Serve one another. You rock little bro. keep up the hard work.
Brian that was an awe inspiring story and everyone knows how great of a person and player you are and well being kinda a cougar hater it’s nice to see they still produce human beings like you. congratulations and good luck with the great career
P.S. it’s always nice to see somebody on the field that you feel good about really cheering which is important with the negative publicity the game is getting right now.
(my mom forwarded this from your mom so sorry its a bit random but I’m glad I was able to read this, thanks)
Kehl is awesome.
I hope he has a bunch of boys eventually down the road and sends them all to play football for BYU!!
Bryan,
You fetchin made me cry. I know that sounds wussy-like, but I was really touched by that letter. This is what it is all about.
I didn’t even like football before I went to BYU. The magic in the program… tradition, spirit, and honor… that’s what made me a fan.
Thanks for sharing your insight. Most of all thanks for representing the Y. I’ll do my best in my capacity as well. Keep up the good work!
Bryan,
I’ve had two opportunities to be around you. Once after a practice during fall camp, and the other on the field after the Las Vegas Bowl last year. Your description of your training camp autograph sessions brought back those memories for me. I was a huge fan before, but those interactions solidified my admoration for you and what you stand for. Both times I had my 6 year-old son with me, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a Cougar fan. You are every bit the hero that a father wants for his son. Thank you for your example, and for continuing to “carry the banner”, and thank you for reminding us true blue fans that BYU football is so much more than a game. All the best!
Kehl,
You’re the man. Great pick on Sunday (but you’d better learn to tuck the ball a little better!!)
Bryan,
Reading this reminded me a lot of an article on Manti Te’o. I’m not sure you know who he is, so I wlii share that with you. He is a BYU recruit out of Hawaii, that also happens to be the #1 LB HS recruit in the country. Over the summer there was an article on him. In the article, he talked about playing for the greater good. That he had been blessed with his football talents not for football sake, but for a much greater purpose.
I just found as I read your write up, it instantly reminded me of that article about Manti.
Bryan, I’ve loved all your posts, but this one especially touched me. I remember Ernie Davis very well (I’m 58), and what a tragedy it was when such a fine young man was struck down with leukemia. Then, about 20 years later, our oldest child was diagnosed with leukemia. She died in 1982 after a 2-year battle that included the same things Eddie has gone through. You’re a fabulous Cougar and representative of the Y, and your humaniity and testimony set you apart. Keep up the good work. I love following and cheering for players like you.
Bryan – thanks for your great example! I love BYU football and have followed it for more than 25 years. But more important than football, I love what the program represents. I love the firesides, the Thursday’s Heroes and everything else the team does to give back to the community. Thanks for being a great representation of BYU and the reason we’re all here. To leave this world a little better than we found it. We’re all cheering for you!
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