Detmer remains humble

The scoreboard read: BYU 28, Miami 21.

Ty Detmer had just left the Cougar locker room, and as he walked across the edge of the south end zone toward an interview room, he held a piece of gauze to his chin, which had been stitched up in the middle of the battle that night on Sept. 8, 1990.

That BYU win over defending national champion Miami and Detmer's performance helped catapult the Texan to the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race and his future induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as one of the NCAA's most prolific passers ever.

Detmer still carries the scar under his chin from that game, a sign of his unconquerable competitive spirit, a trait that places him at the forefront as one of BYU's most-beloved football players of all time.

On Saturday, BYU will officially retire Detmer's jersey No. 14. That number was also worn by another college Hall of Fame QB, Gifford Nielsen, who will also be honored Saturday at halftime of the BYU opener against Arizona in LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"I don't remember a time two players who wore the same number will have their numbers retired at the same time, so it will be pretty unique," said Detmer this week.

"It's a great honor. I'm appreciative of all the guys who put in all the effort, who didn't get recognition and were deserving. This is an exciting time. It will be great to have the family and friends around to enjoy it."

Detmer currently works with a financial investment company in Austin that deals in real estate property and sports management. He also owns a 1,000-acre hunting ranch outside of Austin. He and his wife, Kim, keep busy just raising their four children — Kaili, 14; Aubri, 12; Maysei, 8; and Reylli.

If Michael Vick's troubles had happened last year, Detmer said he might have received a call from the Falcons. But it's a year later with a new coaching staff, and Detmer is more in shape to hit a driver or pull the trigger on his deer rifle than to extend an NFL career that spanned 13 years. A ninth-round pick coming out of BYU, he played for Green Bay, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Cleveland, Detroit and Atlanta until he retired in 2005.

"I'm too out of shape to get back in shape right now," said Detmer, who had given up most weekends his entire life for football.