April 29, 2013
In addition to Ziggy Ansah being drafted fifth overall by the Detroit Lions in this year’s NFL Draft, six former BYU football players also signed free agent contracts with NFL teams this week, and will compete in training camp for final spots on their rosters for the upcoming season.
Linebacker Brandon Ogletree, who led the Cougars in tackles with 102, signed with the Miami Dolphins, and will join a talented linebacking corps in South Beach, along with former Cougar John Denney, who plays longsnapper for the Dolphins.
Offensive tackle Braden Brown signed a deal with the St. Louis Rams, w...
April 29, 2013
The Cinderella story that is Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah has reached another zenith: Ansah was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and will play for the Detroit Lions.
Ansah, the Ghanaian native who knew nothing of the sport just three years ago, was selected by the Lions at Thursday’s draft. Ansah’s story of coming to know and love the game of football — and his subsequent defensive domination of the sport – has been an oft-told story throughout the NFL.
“I think this is fantastic for Ziggy and our program,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said i...
April 23, 2013
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25, and one of the many topics related to the draft is BYU defensive sensation Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah.
The athletic defensive end became a national story with the news of his inexperience with the game of football and his natural athleticism and relentless motor. Many comparisons have been made to current NFL players, and predictions as to Ansah’s potential of being “the steal” of the draft or possibly “the bust” of the draft are not in short supply. How will Ansah’s game transition to the more talented, faster...
April 23, 2013
Tanner Mangum stood on the manicured grass inside LaVell Edwards Stadium looking up at the empty blue and white seats. He dreamed of playing here before cheering crowds all through his high school years, where he earned national honors and became BYU’s number-one recruited quarterback.
But Mangum’s dream will have to wait. Instead of suiting up in his football pads, Mangum will wear a suit and tie for the next two years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Success is nothing new to Mangum, a freshman from Eagle, Idaho. He wowed recruits all around the nation dur...
April 17, 2013
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches members it is important to “keep the Sabbath Day holy” and forgo certain activities; however, playing sports on the Sabbath is an individual decision many athletes are faced with in professional their careers.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Chris Hoke is just one LDS athlete to be faced with the decision to play on Sundays.
“It’s a very sensitive subject in the Church,” Hoke said. “People have very strong opinions about it. Some people are very, very passionate about playing about Sundays, and I see ...
