Dr. Derwin Gray: Tackling Barry Sanders Was Easier Than Pastoring

Dr. Derwin Gray: Tackling Barry Sanders Was Easier Than Pastoring

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy sits down with former BYU defensive back, NFL veteran, and current author and pastor Dr. Derwin Gray. Growing up under the Friday Night Lights of Texas, Derwin admits that football wasn't just a sport—it was a god he actively worshipped for identity, worth, and love. From his recruitment to Provo by LaVell Edwards to a life-altering transformation in an NFL training camp dorm room, Dr. Gray shares a vulnerable and inspiring look at stepping away from the idolatry of performance and stepping into unconditional grace. He also tackles the heavy realities of emotional trauma, why he rejects the term "colorblind" in favor of "color blessed," and his enduring love for his alma mater as the university's 2026 Distinguished Alumni of the Year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Brandon Doman: From 5th String to the 12-0 Run

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy catches up with former BYU quarterback, NFL alumnus, and collegiate coach Brandon Doman. Known as the ultimate "bridge" quarterback, Brandon looks back on navigating the historic transition from legendary coach LaVell Edwards to Gary Crowton and how a kid buried on the depth chart eventually led the Cougars to a breathtaking 12-0 start in 2001. Brandon shares the vulnerable, raw story of almost walking away from BYU, the rule-bending road trip to a rival school, and how a hard-nosed negotiation with LaVell Edwards changed the trajectory of his life. He also drops a fascinating piece of football history, explaining how a unique mix of talent forced BYU to accidentally architect the modern shotgun read-option offense decades before it took over the NFL. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Tim Clark: From BYU Defensive End to Oxford PhD

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacy sits down with former BYU football player, academic All-American, and Oxford PhD Doctor Timothy 1Clark. Tim breaks down the ultimate sports paradox: how a bruising 1980s defensive end transitioned into a global thought leader on organizational culture and leadership. Using the historic, national championship-winning run of the Indiana Hoosiers as a prime case study, Tim deconstructs how true team performance is built. They dive deep into why talent density is a flawed metric, how leaders can shift behavioral norms in a matter of days, and what it truly means to foster psychological safety in high-stakes environments. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Dalton Nixon: Overcoming Heartbreak, the Magic of the 2020 Team, and Coaching the Next Generation

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey reconnects with BYU basketball favorite Dalton Nixon. Dalton opens up about the extreme highs and lows of his basketball career—from the devastating heartbreak of how his high school career ended, to the bittersweet realities of playing for one of the greatest BYU squads in history that never got to compete in the NCAA tournament. Now active in the coaching space, Dalton breaks down what it takes to survive the mental roller coaster of elite sports, the advice he has for freshmen stepping onto campus today, and how to stay anchored when the game doesn't go your way . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

NBA Champion Greg Kite: Bird, Jordan, and the Evolution of the Big Man

In this episode of Beyond the Game, host Mike Lacey reconnects with old college friend and BYU legend Greg Kite. From riding motorcycles in Provo to winning championships alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Greg shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Golden Era of the NBA and BYU’s historic 1981 Elite Eight run. In this episode, we discuss: The BYU Brotherhood: Memories of the training table at the Cannon Center and playing on the same campus as Danny Ainge, Jim McMahon, and Steve Young.   The 1981 Elite Eight: A deep dive into the buzzer-beater win over Notre Dame and the controversial "goaltending" non-call against Ralph Sampson and Virginia .   Life in the Paint: Greg’s role as an "enforcer" and the strategic use of fouls against greats like Bernard King and James Worthy.   The Changing Game: Why Greg prefers watching the college game today and how the "three-point explosion" and analytics have eliminated the mid-range game he grew up with .   Scouting the Future: Greg’s assessment of current BYU stars like AJ Dybantsa and the "premium" need for a dominant center in the modern Big 12 . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].