Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU football standout and NFL player Jim Herrmann.

From his high school days at Arrowhead High School to his time at BYU and his brief professional career, Jim's journey is one of determination, growth, and continuous improvement. At BYU, Jim's impact was significant, particularly in his junior and senior years. As a junior, he set a school record with 16 sacks, and as a senior co-captain, he contributed to BYU's 1984 National Championship team.

Throughout this episode, Mike and Jim dive into the highs and lows of Jim's remarkable career, from his multi-sport high school days in Wisconsin to his experiences playing at BYU and his brief stint in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals. They explore Jim's transition from being a Catholic student in the heartland of Wisconsin to thriving at BYU, a predominantly LDS institution. Jim shares insights on the lasting relationships he formed at BYU, particularly with teammates Steve Young and Lee Johnson, dubbed the "Three Amigos."

The conversation also touches on Jim's personal growth, from battling impostor syndrome to gaining confidence during his redshirt year. Jim reflects on the sanctity of the football huddle, the importance of relationships in life, and how his BYU experience shaped his approach to football, personal development, and life beyond the gridiron. This episode offers a heartfelt look at the transformative power of college athletics and the enduring impact of teamwork and friendship.

Download the full podcast here:

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@btg45podcast/videos

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-game-podcast/id1734495692

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media:

https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction and background on Jim Herrmann

00:47 - Jim's recruitment to BYU and first impressions of campus

03:04 - Jim's experience as a Catholic student at BYU

05:55 - Jim's hometown of Hartland, Wisconsin

08:48 - Jim's brother and family background

11:21 - Jim's decision not to drink alcohol

13:59 - Jim's early days at BYU and feeling out of place

17:58 - Jim's positive experiences at BYU

21:18 - The "Three Amigos" - Jim, Steve Young, and Lee Johnson

24:53 - Jim's emotional departure from BYU after freshman year

27:14 - Jim's physical transformation as a player

29:47 - Memorable games and seasons at BYU

34:12 - Standout teammates and NFL players from BYU

37:36 - Steve Young's journey from 8th string to starting QB

40:45 - Jim's life philosophy of work, dreams and belief

44:30 - Jim's redshirt year and gaining confidence

47:36 - Jim's NFL opportunity and lasting impact of BYU

48:24 - The sanctity of the football huddle

51:24 - Jim's continued relationships with BYU teammates

52:53 - Closing thoughts and appreciation

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU basketball standout and professional player Eric Mika. From his high school days at Lone Peak to his time at BYU and his professional career around the world, Eric's journey is one of determination, growth, and continuous improvement.

At BYU, Eric's impact was immediate, earning WCC All-Freshman Team honors. After serving a two-year mission in Italy, he returned to dominate, averaging 20.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. His decision to leave BYU early for professional basketball led him on a journey across Europe and into the NBA G League.

Throughout this episode, Mike and Eric dive into the highs and lows of Eric's remarkable career, from his high school glory days to his experiences playing professionally in Italy, Germany, Serbia, and the United States. They also explore the profound impact of Eric's mission and time at BYU, which shaped his approach to basketball, personal growth, and life beyond the court.

Download the full podcast here:

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@btg45podcast/videos

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-game-podcast/id1734495692

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - Discussion of basketball vs football players

01:41 - Memories of Greg Kite

02:19 - Eric's high school basketball career at Lone Peak

03:29 - Eric's team's national recognition

04:00 - Pregame perceptions of Eric's team

05:22 - Eric's transition game and training

06:51 - Eric's role and development at Lone Peak

08:02 - Eric's time at BYU

09:04 - Training with Brandon Davies

09:50 - Experience with Bronson Kaufusi

11:11 - Eric's mission to Italy

13:03 - Unique circumstances of Eric's mission

15:41 - Eric's experiences in Italy as a tall missionary

18:52 - Changes in basketball and scouting young players

21:51 - Discussion of current NBA players' skills

24:01 - Eric's decision to leave BYU early

27:55 - Recovering athleticism after mission

29:13 - Hypothetical about NIL and college career

30:20 - Eric's professional career and travels

32:23 - Now for Later Podcast and post-basketball preparation

35:32 - Eric's internship experience

38:24 - Eric's current family life

44:37 - Final reflections and gratitude

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with NFL long-snapping specialist and former BYU defensive end John Denney. Despite starting his college career at Ricks College, John's determination and versatility led him to BYU, where he developed his skills as both a defensive player and long snapper.

John's NFL journey began as an undrafted free agent, but his precision and consistency in long snapping caught the attention of the Miami Dolphins. His dedication and specialized skills led to an impressive 14-year career with the Dolphins, making him one of the longest-tenured players in team history.

As the Dolphins' reliable long snapper, John left an indelible mark on the NFL's special teams. His accuracy and dependability resulted in a streak of 224 consecutive games played, showcasing his durability and importance to the team.

Throughout this episode, Mike and John dive into the highs and lows of John's remarkable career, from his humble beginnings at BYU to his rise as one of the most respected long snappers in NFL history. They also explore the profound impact of John's time at BYU, which shaped his approach to football, perseverance, and life beyond the gridiron.

Download the full podcast here:

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NQmSYbSZH4&t=893s

Apple Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqay13NTFqZmkzejU2d3hfQkVUZTlaS3dPcVNDd3xBQ3Jtc0trb3dIM0dhQ1BTeHZua3h2dnBGRUpmN2ZoVUM1TkE5ZUNIQzNYeExGaWVWWFBOTVA5SUpfUzZtNk90QjU0SUVyd1NLSHJWWkxWelNCQzNkWU44ZGVkYjljbmptV2VYYmt2Wko2cVU1WHppemdidEdxSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fbeyond-the-game-podcast%2Fid1734495692&v=0NQmSYbSZH4

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction of John Denney

1:03 - Discussion of John's football career as a long snapper

3:50 - Explanation of what a long snapper does

5:05 - John's journey to becoming a long snapper in high school

7:52 - John's experience as a long snapper in college

9:40 - Details on long snapping techniques for different plays

12:03 - John's career with the Miami Dolphins

14:35 - Evolution of long snapper protection rules in the NFL

17:43 - Discussion of punting techniques and strategies

19:27 - John's time playing football at BYU

21:41 - Challenges faced during John's college football career

24:54 - John's versatility as a player at BYU (defensive end, long snapper, backup kicker)

26:27 - Reflections on intense training under Coach Bronco Mendenhall

28:46 - Introduction of John's wife Christy and her food blog "The Girl Who Ate Everything"

31:38 - How Christy's blog evolved from a hobby to a successful business

34:33 - John's interest in nutrition and low-carb diets

35:32 - Discussion of John's current fitness routine and coaching

36:52 - Importance of resistance training and maintaining muscle mass with age

38:15 - John's reflections on his BYU experience and lessons learned from adversity

39:32 - Analogy between weight training and facing life's trials

41:55 - Closing thoughts and wrap-up