By Elyse Peterson
The ties that bind three NFL head coaches run deep with LDS roots.
Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid are both BYU graduates.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Dave Campo is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, and he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while coaching at Weber State during 1980-1981.
'It took a couple sets of missionaries. They finally got me,' Campo said.
Billick spoke of his time at BYU as a positive experience.
'Particularly during your college years, to be nurtured in that environment, I think was very much a positive. Those are very formative years, and I think even though I''m not a member of the church that positive atmosphere and that sense of responsibility of stewardship has carried on with me,' Billick said.
Billick, who came from Los Angeles to play as a tight end for the football team, said it was interesting to play football at BYU while not being a member of the church.
'I came up a little na?ve to the circumstances up at BYU, but obviously none the less thrilled,' he said.
Billick said he was exposed to a number of LDS concepts and precepts through the religion classes that he enjoyed.
He also said he felt there was some hidden pressure because he wasn''t a member of the church.
'There is a certain subliminal pressure that exists. Everyone was very, very kind, and no one was belligerent of it. There was subtle pressures, at times I was very much aware that I was a minority in that situation,' he said.
One of the biggest pressures he faced while at BYU was in dating.
'The dating scene can be difficult because of certain presumptions or questions that move along very quickly in a relationship. Knowing that I was predisposed to remain not affiliated with the church, I was very conscious. I didn''t want to cause any consternation.' Billick said.
Reid is originally from Los Angeles and also played football for BYU under LaVell Edwards.
Thanks to an amazing equipment manager Floyd Johnson, great friends and other good examples at BYU, Reid became a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ.
Both Reid and Billick attribute some of their success to Edwards'' coaching.
'LaVell was a great example of a head coach to me,' Reid said. 'I''ve been very fortunate to have been associated with some great coaches - Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, Dennis Green - and I would certainly put LaVell collegiately in that level,' Billick said.
All three head coaches share similar difficulties when it comes to balancing time between their careers and their family life.
'You have to find a balance. During the off-season I spend as much time at home as possible, and I make it quality time. I learned how to cook great caramel popcorn in family home evening, ' Reid said.
'It''s constantly a battle a professional person feels, being pulled in every direction. I''m constantly telling my family, my girls I don''t love you any less than my job, you''re just more forgiving,' Billick said.
'Being LDS is difficult, in the coaching profession you are working 12 hours a day all year and traveling, so I try to look at my family time not as quantity but as quality,' Campo said.
Campo stressed the need to be strong and have your own testimony in order to deal with the demands of being a head coach.
'It''s hard working on Sundays. I''ve missed a lot of church. I have my own faith and testimony. I don''t need to be in the building. It''s hard to have a calling because of the time commitment,' he said.
All three coaches have implemented the values and morals they have gained through their LDS experiences into the way they run their football programs.
'The family-oriented part of the church is exactly the same as the principles that you do with your team. It''s a tough business with some trials. The church teaches you how to be strong and withstand adversity. In times of stress I call on the Lord quite a bit,' Campo said.
Reid said he believes his morals for his job are parallel to those he lives by.
'What I do at work is the same,' Reid said.
Billick attributes many qualities that he puts into practice with the Ravens from Edwards.
'The pressures of the day many times will put you in a situation where it is very tempting to compromise priorities and perspective. To watch someone like LaVell Edwards for so many years who maintained those priorities and perspective and always kept everything in the proper order, and was successful in doing it was a great role model for me,' Billick said.
These three coaches have passion for what they do and make a difference in the lives of many others.
'If you read the Bible or Book of Mormon there is enough scripture that says if you''re going do something, do it with all the fervor you have. We picked football,' Campo said.