Lavell Edwards And My Father

It is so hard, as a life long BYU fan, to put into words that I imagine we are all are feeling today with the passing of the Great Coach Lavell Edwards. If you will be patient with me, I will try to put together a few thoughts on why Coach Levell Edwards meant so […]

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It is so hard, as a life long BYU fan, to put into words that I imagine we are all are feeling today with the passing of the Great Coach Lavell Edwards. If you will be patient with me, I will try to put together a few thoughts on why Coach Levell Edwards meant so much to me even though I only met the man once in my life.

I loved spending time with my Father. We would sit around the radio in my Mom & Dad’s bedroom. You see, my Father suffered from Multiple Sclerosis as long as I knew him. He couldn’t go out and play catch with me as a son, however, he shared his love of BYU Football from where I sat at his side. We would remark at the accuracy of the BYU offense and when I was 12 years old BYU did something magical.

That magic was a national championship. What my Father and I shared was something even more powerful, it was how we identified and shared love. We spent our Saturday afternoons listening of the simulcast of BYU football games. We became friends over football.

When I was in Jr. High and in High School my Dad would come to my football games with my Mom. I knew what type of sacrifice it took for my Mother and I knew what type of sacrifice it was for my Father to just be there. I knew that that night would be horrific on the toll that motorized wheelchair ride did to my Fathers frail frame and I knew just how tired it made my Mom in having to physically get my Father there. The same feeling that I had sitting by the side of my Father’s bed on Saturday returned and I knew that I was loved.

I dreamed about the opportunity to play at BYU. In my Senior Season, I got to meet Lavell on a trip to BYU. I was walking through the old football digs in 1990 and he was walking the halls. He shooked my hand and asked where I had played High School football. He said that’s where that Jantz Afuvai plays football isn’t it? With pride, I said – “Yes Coach Edwards, Jantz is one heck of a player.” Coach Edwards talked to me and introduced me to a few of the players and Coaches that were there that day in June. This was the world to an 18-year old.

The years moved forward and I saw the relationship he fostered with Coach McBride. This friendly outward persona that reminded me of that June day in 1990. It re-enforced my understanding of the legend of Coach Edwards. It in some way connected me to those Saturday afternoons with my Father.

Today, when I heard of Coach Edwards passing I again felt those Saturday afternoons. However, today unlike the previous feelings it was a feeling of loss and melancholy. For you see, I didn’t know Coach Edwards. I only met the man. However, I know what he brought to me. He brought me my Father and we connected in ways that I will always appreciate, and with his passing this world is just a little bit darker for this life long BYU fan.

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