Rob Morris on faith, family, future

HIGHLAND, Utah — Ask Rob Morris if it was a challenge being a member

of the LDS Church and playing in the National Football League, and he

doesn't hesitate in responding."I didn't find it difficult at

all. As a matter of fact, I think it's more difficult living in Utah

County and being LDS," says Morris, a former BYU and Indianapolis Colts

linebacker who retired last summer and lives in Highland with his wife,

Tracie, and 5-year-old son, Carter."There, it was clear-cut

what my standards were. I was a far better person in the NFL than I was

at BYU. Mostly because I was more grown up. Everybody knew I didn't

drink, I didn't swear, I didn't smoke. It wasn't an issue, other than

(former Colts running back) Edgerrin (James) thought polygamy was the

greatest gift to man, ever. He said he wanted to become a Mormon just

for that. (Of course, Mormons no longer practice polygamy.) We had a

very religious team. Guys were very accepting."Morris' head

coach for the last six years of his eight-year career was Tony Dungy, a

devout evangelical Christian. In 2007, Dungy became involved with

Indiana Family Institute, a socially conservative organization, and

openly supported an amendment to the Indiana constitution that would

have defined marriage as solely between one man and one woman.While

Morris says he never really talked to Dungy about religion, he

respected the way Dungy was willing to reveal his spiritual side."It's well-documented how religious Tony is," Morris says. "He would always tie religion into this pregame speeches."During

the 2005 season, Dungy's 18-year-old son, James, committed suicide, and