Jake Heaps how refreshing....

[Colly Wolly]

Am I remembering incorrectly that a few weeks ago we were discussing Bronco's alledged implied criticism of a player choosing Notre Dame over BYU because he didn't want to serve a mission?

Now we're talking about Heap's saying he won't go on a mission as a great thing. Hmm.

If Heaps, or anyone else, doesn't want to go on a mission, then they shouldn't go. There's nothing worse than a missionary who is out in the field for the wrong reasons. The only right reason, IMO, is because you want to serve a mission.

I didn't go because I had to, or believed I had to; I went because I wanted to. But there were too many in my mission who didn't want to be there, and they just wasted two years and their parents money -- or someone elses's.

I thought Bronco's comments had to do with the honor code. He basically said Manti didn't want to come here because he didn't want to hav to deal with the honor code. I didn't hear him mention a mission, but I honestly don't know.

Jake Heaps obviously has no issues with the honor code.

[mUUser]

I doubt it.

You "doubt it?" Now you're just being diplomatic. The honest answer deserves language much stronger and ** ahem** saltier than that.

[Goatnapper'96]

Am I remembering incorrectly that a few weeks ago we were discussing Bronco's alledged implied criticism of a player choosing Notre Dame over BYU because he didn't want to serve a mission?

Now we're talking about Heap's saying he won't go on a mission as a great thing. Hmm.

Dude, you got Donko now...this is clear cut evidence he is a hippercrite!

Actually, I think Bronco said that statistically speaking the kids who, in their recruiting process, express a desire to serve a mission a much higher percentage of those who go to BYU actually make it to the mission field.

What we learn from this is that when you hear a BYU coach mention the word mission it ignites a Pavlovian response in you. That is ok in many respects, but it appears that your capacity to either hear, read or process information becomes seriously impaired from that point forward. Case in point, Jake Heaps does not qualify for that group to which Bronco referenced as he has made no bones about his intentions to not serve. However, if JakeyJake led the world astray and had announced his intentions to Go and Do the things which the Lord hath commanded and then was secretly talked out of serving by that nefarious Donko (See Spencer Hadley or Russell Tialeeva for reference) and thus dragged down the BYU's shining percentage of FYM who go on missions, I bet BYU is still way ahead in that competition.

[Goatnapper'96]

Jake Heaps obviously has no issues with the honor code.

That is yet to be determined.

[jay santos]

I think that above all I am responding to those posting here who seem to be applauding his apparent lack of interest in serving a mission. Would they give the same "attaboy" to a young man in their ward who decided not to go? I doubt it. It's just a difference of opinion. I am not just talking about BYU athletes, BTW. I was also happy when Britton Johnsen decided to serve. (That is a blasphemous belief in SU's universe.) I'm just big on missions.

Hilarious. Then chew those of us out personally who are giving him an attaboy. And we will acknowledge you are much more righteous.

[Colly Wolly]

That is yet to be determined.

Granted. He's been pretty gung-ho about BYU up to this point, and could have gone almost anywhere else. Gotta assume he's willing to live the honor code.

[TripletDaddy]

I am not sure why there is any ambiguity. I would prefer that BYU football players not leave on missions, but stick around and play football. More power to Jake Heaps, esp if he turns out to be really good.

Look at how much Ben O has been blessed by his decision to leave for 2 years.

If a kid in my ward decided to not serve a mission because he was choosing to do something that most people don't get to do, I am all for it. Be a pro tennis player, become an actor, be in a rock band, etc. Very few people get to play college football, and even fewer play in the NFL. Missions are athletic career killers. I don't blame them for not wanting to jeopardize their futures.

If the kid doesn't want to go simply because he is lazy or doesn't want to stop listening to music for two years, I am less inclined to get behind that sort of reasoning.

So to Jake Heaps, I say atta boy. And please convince others on the team to do the same!

[Mormon Red Death]

So goatnapper... Does this mean he will be a better qb because he has the balls to buck the system?

If anyone ever asked me I would always encourage someone to go. Its two years where you live in a different place and sometimes learn a new language and in general become a better person.

Lets be honest though. He's shirked his responsibility in favor of himself. Every Mormon male from the time they could speak know that they are supposed to go on a mission. Its our rite of passage. Its where are boys turn into men. Obviously there are plenty of good people who didn't go and that is surely fine. I do think that to those people its been a little bit of detriment to them in our culture. He should be prepared for similar treatments.

[Goatnapper'96]

So goatnapper... Does this mean he will be a better qb because he has the balls to buck the system?

If anyone ever asked me I would always encourage someone to go. Its two years where you live in a different place and sometimes learn a new language and in general become a better person.

Lets be honest though. He's shirked his responsibility in favor of himself. Every Mormon male from the time they could speak know that they are supposed to go on a mission. Its our rite of passage. Its where are boys turn into men. Obviously there are plenty of good people who didn't go and that is surely fine. I do think that to those people its been a little bit of detriment to them in our culture. He should be prepared for similar treatments.

I agree with what you say about shirking cultural responsibilities as well as the lost personal growth.

I will say that this kid is 10x the man that SeattleUte was....and 5x the man Max Hall was. Hall didn't have the balls to give the culture the middle finger and just limped home, albeit I admit it took balls to come home. Jake gave the culture the middle finger from a sports bar in one of the most listened to press conference in the history of Cougarboard. Jake is on his way to supplanting Lavell Edwards and Jim McMahon as the most prominent mormon!

When the enemy assaileth, shall he wince or shun the fight?

[Colly Wolly]

Lets be honest though. He's shirked his responsibility in favor of himself. Every Mormon male from the time they could speak know that they are supposed to go on a mission. Its our rite of passage. Its where are boys turn into men. Obviously there are plenty of good people who didn't go and that is surely fine. I do think that to those people its been a little bit of detriment to them in our culture. He should be prepared for similar treatments.

Here in lies the luxury of your position as an LDS Ute fan. As LDS athletes who choose BYU "fulfill their responsibilities, BYU athletics are weakened, and you can watch with glee.

I'm fine agreeing with this as long as we can get rid of the Honor Code and recruit athletes not of our faith who can help us compete on the national stage. Utah has it's share of LDS athletes who go on missions, but it isn't chained down by the honor code from a recruiting stand point.

Acceptable double standard?

[DU Ute]

Look at how much Ben O has been blessed by his decision to leave for 2 years.

Ben has certainly received spiritual blessings that, while not readily apparent to onlookers, will certainly bless him throughout the eternities.

Contrast this with Steve Young, whose choice not to serve has brought temporal glory, but has lead him down the path to his current role as a No On 8 supporter, fighting against the saints of Zion. So sad.

So to Jake Heaps, I say atta boy. And please convince others on the team to do the same!

I assume you're not suggesting Heaps convince the linemen, just his fellow skills players.

[RC Vikings]

Lets be honest though. He's shirked his responsibility in favor of himself. Every Mormon male from the time they could speak know that they are supposed to go on a mission. Its our rite of passage. Its where are boys turn into men. Obviously there are plenty of good people who didn't go and that is surely fine. I do think that to those people its been a little bit of detriment to them in our culture. He should be prepared for similar treatments.

I wonder how much the failure of Ben Olsen's career had to play in this decision. Being the number 1 QB out of high school (see Mitch Mustain) is no guarantee of success but serving a mission will come at a cost for some of these kids. For myself I had no car, no job, no girlfriend, all my friends had left already, I was giving up nothing. If I was in the same position as Heaps I'm not sure what I would have done.

[TripletDaddy]

Ben has certainly received spiritual blessings that, while not readily apparent to onlookers, will certainly bless him throughout the eternities.

Contrast this with Steve Young, whose choice not to serve has brought temporal glory, but has lead him down the path to his current role as a No On 8 supporter, fighting against the saints of Zion. So sad.

I assume you're not suggesting Heaps convince the linemen, just his fellow skills players.

Steve Young chose to skip his mission for non-football related reasons (we all know what I am talking about here folks....watch highlight tape of Steve Young running around the field and you will get my drift).

I want Jake Heaps to convince all our good players to stay home and play football. The crappy ones can go on missions and learn or grow or whatever it is they do out there.

[JohnnyLingo]

How do I feel about Heaps not serving a mission?

Like it's none of my business.

Also on that list: How many children a couple will have and when, if ever, they choose to do so.

For myself I had no car, no job, no girlfriend, all my friends had left already, I was giving up nothing. If I was in the same position as Heaps I'm not sure what I would have done.

This is a good point. I had the exact same experience... I was a year younger than all my high school friends so they were long gone before I put in my papers. Didn't have a girlfriend, didn't have a car. Nothing whatsoever keeping me home. I was excited to go, but I do wonder how different it could have been.

[Flattop]

Dude, you got Donko now...this is clear cut evidence he is a hippercrite!

Actually, I think Bronco said that statistically speaking the kids who, in their recruiting process, express a desire to serve a mission a much higher percentage of those who go to BYU actually make it to the mission field.

What we learn from this is that when you hear a BYU coach mention the word mission it ignites a Pavlovian response in you. That is ok in many respects, but it appears that your capacity to either hear, read or process information becomes seriously impaired from that point forward. Case in point, Jake Heaps does not qualify for that group to which Bronco referenced as he has made no bones about his intentions to not serve. However, if JakeyJake led the world astray and had announced his intentions to Go and Do the things which the Lord hath commanded and then was secretly talked out of serving by that nefarious Donko (See Spencer Hadley or Russell Tialeeva for reference) and thus dragged down the BYU's shining percentage of FYM who go on missions, I bet BYU is still way ahead in that competition.

Um . . . ok.

Actually, I don't know what Bronco thinks about Heaps saying he doesn't want to go on a mission. I only know what some folks have posted here.