Vai's View: Vai's View: Mission could open doors for young hoops phenom

3) For me, I don't think the mission played a significant role in my college football career, one way or the other. I'm among the minority whose NFL career exceeded my college career. I was primarily a backup running back at BYU and returned kicks. I was as surprised as the BYU coaches that the Cardinals drafted me in the 10th round (12 rounds at that time). Even more shocked when I was one of two rookies named to the Pro Bowl and made All Pro. I also went to the Pro Bowl my second year. I attribute much of that to my missionary experiences. I learned to work with a single-minded focus without regard for my personal status or circumstances — I didn't care that I was a 10th rd draft choice or that I didn't come to the NFL with a stellar college pedigree or highly decorated. A Mormon mission is among the hardest things a 19-21 yr old can do. I knew I had experiences that would've wilted 99% of my competitors, despite their size, speed, agility and strength. A Mormon missionary feels a certain sense of personal, providential protection that gives him a sense of invincibility — not the reckless, teenage kind — but an air of self-confidence and certainty about yourself and of your purpose. I had it in spades after my mission and to some extent, still do.

My mission is what gave me the sense of purpose to concentrate on a ball hanging in the air while 11, very fast men converged on me with ill intentions, yet calmly snatched the ball from the air and elude them.

It allowed me to transition seamlessly into TV. To write a weekly column. To render service in my church, raise good children and be a good husband.

Frankly, I don't think that often of my BYU experience. But not a single day has passed in the nearly 30 yrs since I returned home, that I don't think of an experience or a lesson learned on my mission. I played in the BYU Miracle Bowl vs SMU as a freshman, even scored an 83-yd punt return in it. Played in the national championship game in 1984. I couldn't tell you the dates those games were played.

But I remember I entered the MTC on Feb. 25, 1982. Left the MTC for South Dakota on Mar 26, 1982. A week later, on April 3, Pres. Hinckley announced missions for elders would be shortened to 18 months. So I returned home on Aug. 18, 1983. To this day, I speak frequently to my mission president's wife and always try to see her when in Utah (her husband died last year). My closest confidant is my convert, Bob Dull, whom I found in Rapid City, taught and baptized. He's now an engineer with Sinclair Oil and lives in SLC. His two daughters, who were babies in South Dakota, are BYU graduates, mothers and happily married (temple marriages). All three of my sons served missions but didn't play football, partly because of the emphasis I placed on missions and so little on football.

That, in a nutshell, is what my mission did for me and the difference it made in my professional and personal life.

Vai

Jabari Parker is wading into uncharted territory as a possible lottery pick considering a mission. Shawn Bradley was a lottery pick AFTER his mission but wasn't beforehand. McKay Christensen held Major League Baseball teams at bay before his mission in the mid-'90s with a letter that he intended to serve a mission, yet was still taken with the sixth overall selection. Most recently, David Archuleta put his music career on hold while he serves in South America.

In the end, it's just a matter of faith. If a young man has sufficient faith, he'll opt to go. But should he decide to stay, I think as an LDS society, we can be awfully hard on our young men who don't. Many still do outstanding things. What's difficult is straddling the line between encouragement and disappointment if they don't go. It's tricky because of how adamant LDS Church leadership is and has been about young men's priesthood duty and obligation.

In my opinion, church leaders leave no wiggle room. It's that crystal clear to me. So, I don't subscribe to Danny Ainge's comment: "I don't believe a mission is for everybody. I believe every young man should prepare for a mission but I don't believe every young man should serve a mission." I've known Danny since our BYU days. I love the guy. Respect and admire him, for his athletic talent, enormous professional success and his commitment to live his faith. I texted him to seek clarity on his quote, but he didn't respond. All I can go on is what is printed. I couldn't disagree more.

Of course LDS young men should prepare, and it's true that many don't pan out as missionaries. But allow the process to dictate that. His quote leaves room for young men to justify not going. And I'm uncomfortable with that.

Hey, if a kid submits his papers and his health or other circumstances keep him from going, then in my mind they are honorably discharged from their duty. But let those who have the stewardship determine that. Through Church leadership, the Lord says it's a "priesthood duty" and an "obligation" that he "expects of us."