It's a beautiful thing watching a grown man and leader share a message of love, empathy and strength to a group of young men, especially the way the world's been going lately.

One of the many reasons why I was drawn to BYU over Utah when I was younger was because of LaVell's stoicism and obvious care for his athletes. I really love seeing that Kalani is carrying that attitude forward with his own unique flare.

Growing up in Utah County as non Mormon I was a heavy BYU fan up to the 7th grade, and then when I was trying to find my own identity I started cheering for the Utes as well—which was the obvious choice for people like me.

I tried to toe the line of having 2 teams that I cheered for but that changed after I went to the Doink Game up at Eccles in '98. I was legit embarrassed watching Utah fans in the stands.

Don't get me wrong, BYU fans have our own special brand of annoying behaviors, but goodness did that game make it clear to me that I didn't want to connect to that fanbase.

All the claims of BYU being sanctimonious and self-righteous fell flat in the face of so many unchecked Utah fan actions, that are carried on today.

It hasn't always been easy being a BYU fan, and so many of my Ute friends can't understand why I'm still such a huge Cougar fan.

But if I were to distill it down to one thing it's this; BYU has an authentic fanbase, who, in their authenticity will unabashedly share their faith—much like Retzlaff, much like countless athletes of different faiths.

And the disdain for that realness is selectively admonished by Ute fans in the face of many examples of Ute players over the years who have publicly thanked their Creator.

I shared a post here a month or so ago about the Ute fans at the dog park I go to, who give me grief all the time for being a non-member BYU fan. They can't let it go—it feels like they believe there should be a default hatred for something I don't believe in.

When the reality is, there's an envy I've always carried for people who can be so sure of who they are as to share so openly about their beliefs—no matter their faith, no matter where I've travelled.

And maybe it's within that 'envy' where I find my real fandom for the Cougars; a mix of gratitude and desire to know who I am, and not allow the world to shape me.

I guess the big takeaway I'm hoping to share is this; don't change a thing, Coug Nation. Even though I don't believe what most of you do, I love that you believe and aspire.

The worst part of the Utah (and others) fanbase is that they think your faith is a vulnerability—but it's what makes BYU special, even for guys like me.

Go Cougs!