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.

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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