Carrying On the BYU Football Tradition

It’s Saturday morning, 10:50, and the first home BYU football game of the season is later today. Abbey’s running errands and I can already feel the energy of game day building. It's in my blood.

BYU football has always been more than football for my family. It’s faith, friends, the color blue, and the traditions go way back. Both my parents went to BYU, and my dad carried a deep passion for sports but even more, for the experience of being together.

I’ll never forget the way he lit up on game day. He’d throw on his latest BYU visor, grab some kettle corn, and flash that big smile as we high-fived after a touchdown. He loved the dinner before the game almost as much as the game itself. He loved walking the stadium, running into friends, and, most of all, buying everyone food and treats. That was him. always wanting to take care of people.

Some of my favorite memories aren’t just in Provo. In high school, he took us to away games like Notre Dame in Chicago or Texas in Austin and those trips were adventures I’ll never forget. He was always pulling us into moments bigger than just the game.

This year feels different. It’s our first season without him. I don’t know anyone who loved BYU football more. And as much as I’ll miss his generosity and his fist pumps, I’m grateful we still have this tradition to carry forward.

Tonight I’ll take Beau, who’s 4 and already has his jersey laid out, and Blaire, who’s 2. Kickoff’s at 6, the sun will be shining, and I hope my kids feel what I felt growing up: that game day wasn’t just about football. It was about family. It was about being cared for.

My dad taught me through BYU football that traditions matter and so does making people feel taken care of.