Belated and something of a common story, but I'm going to call it relevant in light of Talon having written his name into the record books in a rather unique way this year:

One of my young nephews was in the stands for the Puka Nacua BYU vs. Boise State game, seated in the BYU section, directly above where the winning catch was made. I was in another section, but he was reportedly cheering enthusiastically and visibly stressed out throughout the game. We all know how it ended.

Afterwards, his dad took him down around the BYU bus. Nephew got to meet Puka and take a pic. Talon Alfrey's dad had been sitting near them and was in the crowd at the bus as well. Dad pointed Talon towards my nephew, telling him something like "that kid is a big fan..." Alfrey ended up giving him his gloves, and I do believe that a pic was taken as well with my nephew beaming a smile. That story of course made the family circuit that evening.

A couple years later, unbeknownst to Talon and the Alfreys, there was a contingent of fans who they've mostly never met that were cheering extra hard at his onsides kick recovery touchdown vs. Houston. It's not uncommon for someone to notice and call out his name in person or via group chat when he makes a play.

This stuff is not remotely unique to BYU, its teams, our fans, etc. It happens everywhere and in all kinds of cool ways. I do think it is rather embedded in the BYU culture for players to embrace the expectation that they act as ambassadors to the program and express appreciation to its fans. Many go out of their way, as the Alfreys did. I've seen it up close on multiple occasions, as I'm sure is true for many of you.

Also--the other BYU Cougar to have returned an onside kick for a TD? Todd Thompson, our starting TE back in the late 70's. Who happens to be a close relative of my aforementioned nephew's grandmother. Watching Todd play kicked our family's superfandom into gear. Small world. Go Cougs.