BYU starting linebacker Francis Bernard redshirting due to “personal reasons”

I think it is slightly different than a normal church member breaking the commandments. When people attend BYU, their education is subsidized by charitable donations/sacrifices made by others. When you are a normal member, your life and education are not being directly subsidized by these same donations/sacrifices. I think this is a distinction we often overlook when bashing the honor code. I have never liked BYU, nor the honor code, but looking at it this way, I can see a small reason why the Church would want to keep all students (athletes included) to this standard to respect the sacrifices made by others so they could have that opportunity and education.

They (say they) think it sends the wrong message to society (or something) that Utah signed him almost immediately after his removal from Oregon. So they think he didn’t sit in time out long enough, got off the hook because he’s talented and Utah had an immediate need, and that all reflects badly on Utah football’s values.

To that I say, 1- f**k yeah they should’ve snatched him up asap. If Utah hadn’t, Arizona or some other Pac 12 team would’ve taken him and hurt Utah. 2- when will they stop pretending like this isn’t all a business anyway, and some guys get away with more or less, but ultimately Whit is a CEO and made the move that benefits his shareholders. It may come back to bite him, we’ll see, but so far it looks like a shrewd decision. *shrug* 3- finally, I think it’s ultimately jealousy that Utah is in a position to get a player like this that would never even look at BYU for obvious reasons. I actually think this is the main thing.