Several players off 1994 Copper Bowl champion BYU's football team will earn a healthy living for themselves and their families playing football professionally, but offensive tackle Eli Herring isn't one of them.
It's not that Herring, a 6-8, 335-pounder, isn't talented enough to make it in the pro ranks. Scouts figure Herring - like Cougar teammates John Walsh and Evan Pilgrim - has the skill and size to be drafted in the first or second round of next April's draft.The money Herring would earn as a high draft pick would be welcome - especially since he and his
wife, Jennifer, became parents to a daughter 11 months ago.
He even has a desire to stay involved with football and has dreamed about being in the NFL for most his life. His health isn't keeping from trying to make his dream come true, either.
But Herring's principles are.
He wants to live the Ten Commandments.
Commandment No. 4: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
To Herring, that means no working - or playing football - on Sunday.
"It was a tough decision," said Herring Tuesday from his small, on-campus student apartment in Provo. "I've thought about playing pro football since I was a kid. But NFL games are on Sunday and as I was growing up my family always recognized Sunday as the Sabbath. For me, personally, it just wouldn't be right."
So instead of gunning for the big bucks in the NFL, Herring will stay in school, graduate in 1996, become a high school math teacher and, perhaps, a football and track coach.
"My family has been very supportive," said Herring, the former Springville High star who blocked on the 1985 state championship team for quarterback Scott Mitchell, now of the Detroit Lions. "Most people, like my coaches and teammates, have been supportive. Some people don't understand and probably never will, but that's all right with me."
Herring, an active member of the LDS church - he served a mission to Salta, Argentina from 1988-90 - goes to great length to point out this is a decision that feels right for him and that other LDS athletes - including Mitchell and Super Bowl MVP Steve Young - may be doing what's right for them by playing in the NFL.
"I assume (other LDS athletes) are doing what they believe is best for them and their families, and you can't deny them that," Herring said. "When I was making my decision everyone brought up Steve Young as being an LDS guy who has been a good influence for the Church through the fame he's received in the NFL. He has been a good example for the Church, but for me, (playing on Sunday) isn't an option."
A letter to each NFL team has been sent explaining that Herring doesn't believe in playing on Sunday, so he doubts he'll be drafted at all. But what if a team takes a chance by drafting him in a late round hoping he'll change his mind later? Herring warns teams not to bother.
"It would be a wasted draft pick, because I've made up my mind not to play on Sunday," he said.