Mixing football and faith: A look at the church service of LaVell Edwards

Source: www.deseretnews.com - Friday, December 30, 2016
In November 1984, amidst his team’s pursuit of a national championship, LaVell Edwards was interviewed by the New York Times regarding the evolution of BYU’s football program. “There were a lot of people who thought that the church and football shouldn’t mix,” Edwards said. But Edwards, who was raised in an LDS family, seemed to seamlessly combine football and church service in his own life. In the day since his passing , former players have spoken of his administering a priesthood blessing or noting the spiritual books on shelves in his office. Edwards' faith and church service has been noted not only in the wake of his passing, but throughout his career. During his time coaching at BYU, Edwards also served a student ward bishop for six years. "I was an LDS bishop on campus for six years and that was a special time for me. I really enjoyed working with the students and helping them grow and overcome challenges. I pretty much did the same things as the head football coach," Edwards said in the book "What It Means To Be A Cougar." "I always had a lot of personal interviews with the players to make sure they were OK. I knew what we were trying to accomplish with football, and I let the coaches do their jobs. I would try to observe the players and talk with them if it seemed like they were struggling." While the coach is remembered for his composed nature on the sideline, Edwards confessed that he felt “real pressure” when he delive

All Related

from Breaking News http://ift.tt/2hDeTtQ