PROVO, Utah - BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake did something only LaVell Edwards had previously done.
That's giving a talk at a BYU Devotional as an active head coach of the BYU football program.
Kalani Sitake, who is entering his 10th year as BYU's head coach, addressed thousands of BYU students at the Marriott Center.
BYU Devotionals feature speeches from distinguished guests that are intended to uplift, instruct, and give hope. They are held weekly on Tuesdays for BYU students.
Many players from the BYU football team sat in the middle section of seats at the Marriott Center to watch their head coach give the devotional address.
Sitake's talk was titled "Discovering God's Plan for You."
It's the first time since 1976 that an active BYU football coach spoke at a devotional. LaVell Edwards was the speaker then. Edwards also spoke in April of 2001, five months after coaching his final game as BYU's head coach.
During Sitake's talk, he discussed his childhood and the challenges of being a child after his parents divorced.
Sitake has talked in the past about his parent's divorce and often shared a story of a BYU football player changing his life. However, until Tuesday, Sitake never publicly shared who that player was.
"I was attending Cascade Elementary in Orem. This was my fourth grade year. At this time, the BYU football team was the only thing that brought joy in my young life.
"It happened to be 1984, the undefeated national championship year. I felt like God answered all of my prayers every week for every game. So you're welcome. I remember specifically asking Heavenly Father to bless the players and their health, especially Robbie Bosco, because he was always limping for some reason.
"Then at Cascade Elementary, the national champions are coming to visit our school. It felt too good to be true.
"At the assembly, the players and the coaches were amazing. They took turns speaking to the entire school. Afterward, they signed autographs and took pictures. They also participated in different activities and games. Although it was exciting that they were there, I was still sad.
"I had no confidence and a very low self-esteem. I was in a lot of pain. I missed my home, I missed Laie, Hawaii, I missed my friends, and I missed my mom.
"So I sat on the side, satisfied to just watch from a distance, amazed at their presence and kindness, interacting and laughing with the students and teachers. One of the players noticed me on the side and motioned to me to come join them. I quickly shook my head no after making sure it was me he was motioning to. He then started walking towards me. I froze. This is a big-time player. In fact, he is my favorite player. I didn't know what he wanted or why he was coming to talk to me.
"So he asked me a couple of questions and did most of the talking for a quick minute. Before he left to rejoin the group of students and players... he gave me a hug. It was different than I've ever felt before; I felt warm, and I felt safe. During the embrace, he said, 'Everything is gonna be fine. I love you and God loves you.'
"I've heard those words 'Everything is gonna be fine,' or 'everything is gonna be OK' probably a thousand times before... but this was the first time I actually believed it. That hug fixed something in me that was broken, it was during that hug that I knew, I'm going to play football for BYU and be just like that player, Vai Sikahema. I wanted to be like him. My heart was full of love and joy.
"He wore the number 23 at BYU and played running back and kick returner. And 10 years later as a freshman in 1994, in his honor, I wore the number 23 and played running back, just like him. To show appreciation for him having such an impact on my life.
"He would go on to the NFL and have a fantastic career as an all-pro returner. He was the first Tongan to play in the NFL. Elder Sikahema is currently serving as a General Authority Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Years later, I asked him if he remembered this moment. To my surprise, he didn't remember specifically meeting a shy 9-year-old at Cascade Elementary in Orem, Utah. But to me, it was everything!
"He was 'responsive to spiritual promptings.' As Elder (Ronald A.) Rasband reminds us, 'The Lord's hand is guiding you. By divine design, He is in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones.' For Elder Sikahema, it was a small detail but, for me, a major milestone."
"Can you imagine how I feel now as I watch our players interact and connect with young people? It has to be more than just football, especially here. In October 2013, President Russell M. Nelson declared, 'Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth.'
"This is one of my favorite parts of my job. I get to coach great leaders."
To listen to the full address from Kalani Sitake, go to the Cougar Tracks Podcast.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch's coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.