Whether he's competing on the defensive line or just trying to live his religion, Brandon Bair stands his ground.
"He can't be pushed around either way," said Paul Heiner, director of the Eugene LDS Institute of Religion.
On the football field, the 6-foot-7 Bair is a commanding physical presence as a sophomore defensive lineman at the University of Oregon. Around the Eugene institute, he's an active and enthusiastic contributor in both the classroom and in leadership roles, having already graduated from the program and serving as president of both the institute council and the Latter-day Saint Student Association.
"He's kind of been our right-hand man," Heiner said.
Bair's commitment to institute activity, despite the obligations that come from being a full-time student, husband and intercollegiate athlete, is a matter of priority. Before he ever arrived on the Eugene, Ore., campus, Bair decided that his faith came first — a commitment he won't budge from.
"He's just a great example of an institute student," Heiner said. "He's living the life we want for all of our students."
As a senior at South Fremont High in St. Anthony, Idaho, Bair found himself in the unlikely position of fielding scholarship offers from prominent college football programs. He was never much of a football fan, and his high school team failed to win a single game his senior year. Still, he was a promising athlete who earned first-team all-state honors.
Bair narrowed his final list to three schools — Washington State, Boise State and Oregon, a successful Pac-10 program distinguished by its first-class facilities and vibrant, over-the-top uniforms. Something else, however, convinced Bair.
"I didn't even know who Oregon was until they recruited me," he said. "I was kind of in a state of shock that someone wanted me to come play football in the first place."
Bair told all interested schools up front that he planned to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before beginning his playing career, and the Oregon coaches agreed to accommodate him. They also took time to introduce Bair to the area bishop and institute director.
"They made that a priority because they knew it was my priority," he said. "That helped me out a lot in my decision, and they honored my mission. This just felt like it was a place for me."
Bair returned from his mission to Jacksonville, Fla., in 2006 and redshirted his first season in the program. The following year, he saw action in every game as a backup defensive end. At the same time, he immersed himself in institute activity, taking at least one class a semester (sometimes two or three) and serving as president of the institute council. His responsibilities included activity planning and student recruitment.
At the conclusion of his mission, Bair decided he wanted to live where he could share the gospel on a continual basis, and following his commitment to Oregon afforded him the perfect opportunity. Teammates know he's Mormon, and throughout his career they've constantly inquired about his faith.
"I don't think there's a single day that I don't have people ask me about it," he said. "They know that's who I am."
Bair is a leader among his LDS peers, Heiner says, but his place on the football team has provided him with an additional pursuit to dedicate himself to. Bair says he's always wanted to reach out to youths, and during his time in Eugene he's been given several opportunities to speak at firesides and youth activities.
"I'm getting calls from all over the place," he said. "It's kind of a blessing for me. I'm grateful for the opportunity to go and do it. It's kind of good for me."
Over the summer, Heiner's stake held a pioneer trek in the Cascade Mountains. Bair and his wife, Jordan, got on a motorcycle and drove out to the event, where he spoke to the youths about the gospel under the glow of a lantern.
"Because everybody knows that he plays football, and he is an impressive physical figure, our youth see him as someone who's very credible," Heiner said. "He has a marvelous testimony. He has great faith."
Jordan Bair, a Westminster College (Salt Lake City) graduate who married Brandon in January, says her husband is always the first person to volunteer for service. He signs a lot of footballs and visits early morning seminary classes in the area to encourage prospective college students to enroll in institute. Football, school and church activities make for a hectic schedule, but she says her husband has taught her a lot about prioritizing.
"We try our best to wake up early and do our scripture study together, because the days are pretty busy," she said. "He's just really good with his planner."
This year, Bair is once again a backup along the Oregon defensive line. He has recorded seven tackles, two of which came in last week's 54-20 win over Arizona State, and has also forced a fumble.
Jordan Bair, who is a football fan herself, knows her husband loves the game, but a story he told at a recent fireside reflects his love for the church. After Oregon defeated Michigan last season, a game in which Bair recovered a fumble, he received a phone call from a former mission companion who wanted to hear all about the experience. Bair recounted the adrenaline and excitement of the game, but soon found himself reminiscing about teaching the gospel to a family in the mission field.
"Brandon loves football," Jordan said, "but he (says) nothing can compare to feeling the spirit and watching other people get that spirit in their lives. That's what he tries to do every day."
E-mail: ashill@desnews.com
RMs on the gridiron
Mormon Times is
compiling a list of returned missionaries playing college football outside Utah and is looking for reader input. Is there someone you could let us know about? The players must be listed on the roster of a school outside the state that competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Send names to mormontimes@
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The Bair file
Hometown: St. Anthony, Idaho
School: Oregon
Year: Sophomore
Position: DL
Ht.: 6-7 Wt.: 250
Age: 23
Of note: Married to former Jordan Eckman ... Served LDS Church mission to Jacksonville, Fla. ... President of Latter-day Saint Student Association at University of Oregon.