On Nov. 22, 2008, Brigham Young University and the University of Utah will meet to resume their very heated rivalry, known as "The Holy War."
The past two seasons have been memorable for BYU fans, but agonizing for Ute fans.
However, after last season's game, the rivalry took a new twist when Cougar wide receiver Austin Collie was being interviewed.
Facing 4th-and-18 deep in their own territory, it was the Cougar's last chance to keep their chances alive. BYU quarterback found Collie streaking down the sideline at midfield to keep the game winning drive alive.
When asked about the outcome of the game, Collie said, "When you're living your life right, things like this will happen."
First off, I have grown up cheering for the Cougars and am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which owns and operates Brigham Young University.
However, I have some disparaging thoughts on Austin Collie's choice of words.
I find these words very inappropriate to use in this arena. It implies that living a "Holy" life will lead to unbridled success on the football field.
I find it very hard thinking that God has anything to do with outcomes of ANY football game, or any sport for that matter. He cannot choose sides, for, as we believe, we are ALL His children.
Second, he chose to use these words against the University of Utah. The Utes have as many LDS students as BYU, if not more.
Plus, this isn't just an "LDS" thing. It would be inappropriate if he directed his words at Notre Dame or Southern Methodist. There are plenty of people who "live their lives right" and don't affiliate with any religion.
Now, look at this season, Brother Collie. Can you apply your words to your team and your rivals?
What happened at TCU? Were you out "sinning" the night before? Was that why the Horned Frogs ran you right out of their stadium? Were they "living their life right" that week?
How about the University of Utah? They must be living right, since they came back from an eight point deficit late in the fourth to defeat a very good Oregon State team.
How about two weeks ago, when they defeated those same Frogs that stomped you? Brian Johnson made the plays he needed to in order to score the winning touchdown.
Must have been how he was living.
Now, Austin will have to face those Utes in their house on Saturday. This will indeed be another classic Holy War showdown.
The 11-0 Utes going for their perfect season and another BCS bid to follow the Urban Meyer-led Utes of 2004.
The 10-1 Cougars are trying to snuff out that dream and possibly sneak into the BCS and grab a share of the Mountain West Conference Title.
But this Ute team is stacked, well coached, and prepared for any adversity thrown at them.
BYU, however, has struggled and shown plenty of weaknesses in getting to their 10-1 record.
Well, Austin, maybe if you come out victorious on Saturday, you'll show us you can walk on water.
14 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jim Cowan 7 months ago
I understand I guess how the comments upset you, but this is nothing new to sports. More times than not, when asked, people thank God or thank Jesus for their ability to perform, whether it be for a game or a career. We hardly ever hear how just hard work and determination helped...
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vee man 7 months ago
It takes guts to say this. Well done. But I think the players and coaches also say that to please the big boosters who want to see their personal agendas supported. And it's not just schools with religious affiliations - as a Gators fan, I keep having to hear about Tim Tebow's religious views more than I'd like to. As Jim said, it goes with the territory.
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Todd Westra 7 months ago
oh come on man... dont let austins comments throw you for a loop. All he knows is football. I think all members of the church know and understand that the Lord Does in fact bless you when you are trying hard to live right. For me, I see blessings every day that I feel may have otherwise passed me by had I not been trying to live better.
Yes Austins comments may have been inappropriate at the time... but I dont think that in any way he meant that the Utes were not living right, or that the students at the U weren't living right... I think he was just trying to make a comment like many many sports heros who more tactfully state that they are grateful for their God given talents and that they could feel his strength in that game.
Moving to Utah from out of state, I think the title of "Holy War" is pretty darn hilarious. It is a great rivalry, and I have enjoyed both attending and watching the games on TV for the last 11 years I have lived here in Utah.
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Blake Quigley 7 months ago
As usual, this article has taken someone's comments out of context and they've been misinterpreted. If you were to investigate Austin's response more fully, he later explained what he meant when he used the phrase "living your life right". He explained that what he meant was showing up to practice day in and day out giving your 100%, working hard in the off-season, staying focused on the team that is coming up next. He wasn't making a religious comment here, his comments had to do with football.
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Jay Gill 7 months ago
1. I wish we would not refer to this game as a Holy War.
2. We see comments like this all the time from players from colleges around the country, and I never see anyone criticize them. A player belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should be as free as anyone else to make a comment like this without being belittled or criticized in a discriminatory way.
I would point out that Austin was not calling into question the righteousness of another because he said he felt he had been blessed for trying to live morally. If I say I felt God helped me to get a job because I have been trying to live morally, does that mean I am disparaging another who did not receive a job? Austin has said in interviews he wants to play professionally and it would be hard for anyone to say he will not, as well as he is playing. Thus, this is akin to his job, I am sure it is as important to him and may warrant help from his God. If you do not believe in a God who is involved in helping people with matters important to them, so be it. But don't sciticize another for believing this.
3. I found this article poorly written, and itself belittling. Was there a need to refer to Austin as "Brother Collie."
3. The article was also and poorly researched. Univ of Utah has more LDS students than BYU? What?!? The total enrollement at BYU is 5,000-6,000 higher than Univ of Utah and BYU is 98% members of the Church. This is an ignorant assertion, one of several in the article.
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Jay Gill 7 months ago
1. I wish we would not refer to this game as a Holy War.
2. We see comments like this all the time from players from colleges around the country, and I never see anyone criticize them. A player belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should be as free as anyone else to make a comment like this without being belittled or criticized in a discriminatory way.
I would point out that Austin was not calling into question the righteousness of another because he said he felt he had been blessed for trying to live morally. If I say I felt God helped me to get a job because I have been trying to live morally, does that mean I am disparaging another who did not receive a job? Austin has said in interviews he wants to play professionally and it would be hard for anyone to say he will not, as well as he is playing. Thus, this is akin to his job, I am sure it is as important to him and may warrant help from his God. If you do not believe in a God who is involved in helping people with matters important to them, so be it. But don't sciticize another for believing this.
3. I found this article poorly written, and itself belittling. Was there a need to refer to Austin as "Brother Collie."
3. The article was also and poorly researched. Univ of Utah has more LDS students than BYU? What?!? The total enrollement at BYU is 5,000-6,000 higher than Univ of Utah and BYU is 98% members of the Church. This is an ignorant assertion, one of several in the article.
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Nathan Robite 7 months ago
Geez, did that need to be posted twice? What is sciticize? Did you notice you have two #3's? Plus, I did not assert that the U DID have more LDS students than BYU....
But this isn't really a professional site. I'm writing FOR the experience. So, I do appreciate feedback. However, if Austin was referring to him practicing and preparing for the game, he hid it.... I didn't hear him say anything about "I practiced routes with Max all week, studied film, etc." He said "live your life right". And I only wrote this article about the Utah game, but Austin backed up his words a month later.... Las Vegas Bowl 2007-UCLA is driving for the winning field goal. It's basically a chip shot, but a BYU defender got a hand on it and preserved the BYU victory. Austin then said it AGAIN, "Live your life right and these things will happen." Ok, maybe get him off the hook for 4th-and-18 because he was the second half of that big play. How do we explain the blocked kick, when he wasn't even on the field?
Anyway, we can debate this for the next 20 Holy Wars and probably never agree..... But I do appreciate hearing from people!
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Jay Gill 7 months ago
Sorry about the posting twice, it was accidental. And I should have read over for typos. Sorry.
One thing that we have in common is that I also did not hear in any of the reports on this comment that Austin made that he was referring to practicing hard. I am also a bit skeptical about it. Even if he said this more specifically later on, my guess is he was indeed initially referring to personal morality. I don't think the issue is whether he meant this or not. My opinion is that whether he meant this or not, he should feel free to say it and mean it.
I think members of the Church are usually more critical of each other than of other people, and I think the reaction so many have had to this comment is an example. It's not fair and not healthy. I think we just need to lighten up on each other. It is probably an indirect result of pressure to fit in with a world that increasingly rejects personal morality. So we feel bad about ourselves and project that feeling of inferiority onto others similar to us. Not healthy. We can change it.
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Bryan Gonzalez 7 months ago
Good stuff this is something I applaud you for addressing. I remember hearing the interview and wincing when I heard him say those things. I'm a Cougar fan and grew up in an LDS family but when you say something like that I think it comes off as if you think your better than others.
As far as the name holy war i think they are really pushing to get that name out and call it "The Duel" I've seen tons of shirts and I think there is even a duel trophy now.
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Tucker Botkin 7 months ago
Really? Maybe you should speak with "Brother" Collie before you start putting words in his mouth.
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Nathan Robite 7 months ago
Did I put words in his mouth? He DID say those words...twice..... Perhaps in the future he should stick to talking about the team and their hard work, practice and execution being the reason they pull off these plays to win their games.
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Tucker Botkin 7 months ago
I believe that he said those words, I just don't think it is really up to you or I to determine the meaning of the words he said. I do understand where you are coming from, I just don't think it should be left up to us to determine those things. It was a well written piece and I apologize if I came off as hostile. Not my intention.
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Jeff Kneis 7 months ago
Great write up. This is a very sensative subject that everyone has an opinion about. I do feel the comment was out of place. The only thing that he possibly could be talking about were "the football gods." This is a common term for many football teams with all different religious backgrounds. Teams that work hard, respect their opponent, trust their teammates and play the game the right way are usually rewarded by the football gods. I am not sure if this is his meaning, I am just throwing it out there as a possibility.
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Clair Stewart 7 months ago
I wish that the name Holy War would stop too. Its a football game but if you use the word Holy it implies religious conatations which leads to bashing of another's beliefs. I went to BYU enjoyed it and follow the Cougars as much as I can. They have ups and downs like any athletic team and I doubt that there is a direct correlation to living "right"other than doing what you are suppose to be doing. I enjoy what you have to say, don't have to agree with all of it but I think it is thought provoking and thats what all written work should do. Good luck with the writing.
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