Mel Farr: The Heart That Never Gave Up - Behind BYU's Miracle Bowl Victory

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey welcomes Mel Farr, a beloved figure from BYU football's golden era. From his start as an equipment manager in 1977 to his pivotal role in the legendary 1980 Holiday Bowl, Mel's journey exemplifies the heart and spirit of BYU athletics!

Standing at just 5'4", Mel earned the respect of players like Jim McMahon through his unwavering determination and ability to stand up for himself. The conversation reveals compelling behind-the-scenes stories, including Mel's famous phone book-tearing tradition that became a team ritual, his iconic leap onto LaVell Edwards after the Miracle Bowl victory, and how his "never give up" mantra inspired one of college football's greatest comebacks.

Through stories of working with legendary figures like Floyd Johnson and the 1980 championship team, Mel illustrates how size and physical limitations never defined his impact on BYU football. His story has captured such attention that a screenplay about the 1980 Miracle Bowl, told through Mel's perspective, is currently in production. Drawing from his experiences managing equipment for stars like Jim McMahon and Clay Brown, Mel opens up about the special brotherhood of BYU football and how choosing to persist through challenges creates lasting impact beyond the game itself.

Vai Sikahema's article on Mel Farr: https://www.deseret.com/2019/8/05/202...

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Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Mel Farr's Story
3:04 Setting the stage
4:42 Mike Lacey's Welcome
5:04 The ESPN Greatest Comeback Video
5:49 LaVell Edwards Walking to Meet Coach Meyer
6:26 Mel's Field Duties with Kickoff Tees
7:34 The High-Scoring BYU Offense
8:02 The SMU Mustangs and Pony Express
9:02 LaVell Edwards' Elevator Story with SMU Players
9:42 The NCAA Death Penalty at SMU
10:31 Breaking Down the Miracle Bowl Finish
11:47 The Utah Game Phone Book Tradition
13:22 The Technique of Phone Book Tearing
15:39 Running the Two-Mile Team Test
16:46 Remembering the Offensive Line Giants
17:33 Mike "Animal" Morgan and the Defense
18:43 Tom Holmoe and the Phone Book Pages
19:53 Jim McMahon's Practice Incident
21:54 Offensive Coordinators Through the Years
22:22 Bill Shefflin's Memorable Plays
23:54 The Path to Becoming BYU's Manager
25:15 From 4'9" High School Graduate to BYU
26:31 Standing Up to Team Bullies
27:35 Jim McMahon's Respect for Mel
29:13 Meeting Basketball Players
30:02 The San Diego State Phone Book Story
31:06 Never Give Up Mantra
32:28 The Night Before the Miracle
33:51 The Upcoming Movie About 1980 Season
34:40 Managing Multiple Sports
35:06 Floyd Johnson's Impact
36:08 Closing Thoughts and Credits