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Did Steve Young do a mission?

Miggs

Miggs

Well-Known Member
I'm very curious about this. I don't think he did but I'd like a detailed response and explanation here.
 
No. Probably the same reason Jabari Parker didn't either. Their choice. Personally, I'd probably have done the same.
 
I once read an article that said no star skill position athlete had ever served a Mormon mission or otherwise forgone two years of their development at such a key age. The theory was that it would be almost impossible to catch back up to elite athletes after taking such critical time off of development. It pointed out that Shawn Bradley was one of the rare skilled position athletes who did go on a mission (then he transitioned directly to the NBA) but he never reached the potential people believed he had prior to the mission. I also recall the article talking about the Summerhayes golfing family, all of the BYU QBs, Danny Ainge, etc.

Interestingly, Tanner Mangum (or whatever his name is who is currently blowing up at BYU) may buck this trend. Are there any others? Did Jimmer go on a mission? Any of the recent BYU QBs?
 
Joe Bagadonuts said:
I once read an article that said no star skill position athlete had ever served a Mormon mission or otherwise forgone two years of their development at such a key age. The theory was that it would be almost impossible to catch back up to elite athletes after taking such critical time off of development. It pointed out that Shawn Bradley was one of the rare skilled position athletes who did go on a mission (then he transitioned directly to the NBA) but he never reached the potential people believed he had prior to the mission. I also recall the article talking about the Summerhayes golfing family, all of the BYU QBs, Danny Ainge, etc.

Interestingly, Tanner Mangum (or whatever his name is who is currently blowing up at BYU) may buck this trend. Are there any others? Did Jimmer go on a mission? Any of the recent BYU QBs?
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David Robinson took 2 years off for his military obligations.
 
Cunning Linguist said:
What's the deal with missions at BYU? They're highly pushed but not mandatory?
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I don't think it has to do with BYU specifically. LDS males are highly encouraged to go on missions. The more devout you are (or your family), the more inclined you will be to go.
 
Joe Bagadonuts said:
Interestingly, Tanner Mangum (or whatever his name is who is currently blowing up at BYU) may buck this trend. Are there any others? Did Jimmer go on a mission? Any of the recent BYU QBs?
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John Beck and Max Hall both went. Taysom Hill went. Riley Nelson went, but it could be argued how skilled he was. Those are the only ones that I know of for sure. I know Detmer didn't (he wasn't even Mormon when he started at BYU). Obviously McMahon didn't. There have been other "skill" players go on missions (Austin Collie).
 
bigb said:
John Beck and Max Hall both went. Taysom Hill went. Riley Nelson went, but it could be argued how skilled he was. Those are the only ones that I know of for sure. I know Detmer didn't (he wasn't even Mormon when he started at BYU). Obviously McMahon didn't. There have been other "skill" players go on missions (Austin Collie).
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The article I was referring to came before Beck, Hall, Hill and Nelson. None of them have really become stars (or even consistent starters) though, so I'm not sure it matters. David Robinson is a different story. He took two years off and returned to perform at an exceptionally high level. He stands alone.
 
I know what you're saying here, but three of those four were "stars" for their level of talent. I don't think there's any way any of them would have been better pros had they not done a mission.
 
Joe Bagadonuts said:
The article I was referring to came before Beck, Hall, Hill and Nelson. None of them have really become stars (or even consistent starters) though, so I'm not sure it matters. David Robinson is a different story. He took two years off and returned to perform at an exceptionally high level. He stands alone.
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Stars schmars but both beck and hall had enough talent and good enough college careers to get into the nfl (however briefly)

I think taysom was a star whenever he was not injured...... He was very highly talked about on a national level.

Riley Nelson sucked donkey balls
 
I know they aren't "skill" positions, but two good examples are Sione Pouha and Xavier Sua-Filo. Pouha was an All Pro and Sua-Filo was the 33rd pick in his draft. Both went on missions.
I think football is much more forgiving to missionaries (you can't go pro as early), especially now that the age is lower for missionaries. Basketball players would be affected more, IMO.
 
David Robinson is a bad example as a comparison for a few reasons. First, he did his two years after four years of college, where BYU kids either go right out of high school or after their frosh year. Second, Robinson, serving in the military, was able to dedicate 10x the time to exercise and staying in shape. Missionaries simply don't have the time or the priority to stay in any kind of sports shape. Third, due to the nature of missionary work, many athletes priorities change and the fire to be great athletes is diminished. They become "soft", less interested in their sports career and more interested in family, church, etc.
 
Also, Max Hall only served for about 6-7 months. Missions for athletes that are cut short are known as "Max Hall missions".

John Beck and Taysom Hill are probably the most successful QBs who served full missions. Austin Collie is probably the best WR, and currently Mitch Matthews, as a RM has a chance at a pro career.
 
gandalfe said:
David Robinson took 2 years off for his military obligations.
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Big difference taking 2 years off from a sport while in the military. Not only was he still part of what was most likely a strict physical fitness program, he probably was still afforded ample time to have a basketball in his hands.
 
jazzman12 said:
Wasn't Austin Collie's brother a pretty big WR recruit a couple years ago? Is he back from his mission/still with the program?
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I remember zac collie, but he sucked and I don't think he is the one you are referring to.
I think there was another one that I'm forgetting though
 
Dennis Pitta went. Too bad he keeps getting injured in the NFL.


jazzman12 said:
Wasn't Austin Collie's brother a pretty big WR recruit a couple years ago? Is he back from his mission/still with the program?
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I think he was an average recruit. He wouldn't be seeing the field at BYU this year if he were still on the team. He is at Hawaii playing with USC castoff QB Max Wittek.....which isn't good for Collie because Wittek stinks. Supposedly his family doesn't like Robert Anae.....which is also supposedly the reason Covey plays for Utah.
 
Duck Rodgers said:
Dennis Pitta went. Too bad he keeps getting injured in the NFL.




I think he was an average recruit. He wouldn't be seeing the field at BYU this year if he were still on the team. He is at Hawaii playing with USC castoff QB Max Wittek.....which isn't good for Collie because Wittek stinks. Supposedly his family doesn't like Robert Anae.....which is also supposedly the reason Covey plays for Utah.
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I could see the Covey family not liking Anae. That dude is really rough around the edges. I've read some quotes from Covey where he talks about being a visitor in the locker room before the USC and Oregon games. He said seeing the passion and excitement for PAC 12 football is what swayed him to make his choice, so it could be that the Utes just did a really good job of recruiting him.
 
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