BYU - Thursday's Hero March 30 2015

Ray was honored as "Thursdays Hero" by the BYU Football team today for his courage in the face of cancer, his positive attitude and his service to others.  Clay Aucoin, met us at the Legends building on BYU campus and took us on a tour through the Athletic offices.

Brittany, Cory and Nadia Thompson Megan, Anders and Ethan Lindstrom, Coach Bronco Mendenhall, Ray and Sandy Osburn, Arianne and Ruth Morrey
Joshua Lindstrom, Ashton & MaCaleb Thompson, Charlie Morrey, Hunter Thompson, James and Nathanial Morrey

Ray, James, Arianne, Nathanial, Cory, Nadia, Charlie, Brittany, Hunter and Ashton listening to Clay Aucoin as we tour the BYU football center

Ethan Lindstrom with 55 Felisi Tofi

   We were impressed with Coach Bronco Mendenhall's office.  Just outside his door, is a large painting of Captain Moroni signed by Arnold Frieburg.    Clay told us that when Coach Mendenhall came to BYU he brought that painting with him and said that they would follow Captain Moroni. 

  ". . .that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.  And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people." Alma 48:10-12

Hunter and James in Coach Mendenhall's office

Charlie, Ashton, James, Hunter and MaCaleb waiting for Papa Ray's "movie to start

We were able to see the rooms where they plan and prepare their plays, a huge map that shows where the BYU football team members are serving missions throughout the world.  They took us to the screening room, where the team gathered at 6:30 a.m. that morning and watched a Slide show that BYU had put together about Ray.

In BYU's training auditorium where they watch replays and plan strategy for upcoming games
Cory, Brittany, Nadia, Ray, Ruth, Arianne, Megan, Ethan and Anders

Cory and Nadia Thompson with Papa Ray

Watching BYU Football Practice

  We then went over to the practice field to watch the team's last spring practice.  We especially enjoyed the Unity Drills, where each group has to strive to keep in sync with their leader.  We watched individual team members go through ladder drills and the grandchildren enjoyed trying the drills as well. 

Ray, Cory, Arianne, Charlie, Hunter and James - I love the concentration on James face

James and Hunter decide to try out the ladder step with Anders, Ray, Ethan, Matheson, Ruth, Brittany and Nadia and Arianne

Grammie Sandy and Nadia watching football practice with Ray, Joshua, Ruth, Megan and Arianne

Ray and Arianne talking to Bronson Kaufusi, one of the BYU football captains

Bronson Kaufusi, giving Ray a few BYU hats with Arianne

Troy Hinds, one of the captains gives Ray a BYU flag signed by the 2015 BYU Football team

Coach Bronco Mendenhall, Ethan Lindstrom, Cory and Nadia Thompson, Sandy and Ray Osburn signing the flag

Ray Osburn signing the flag with Troy Hinds
Ashton, Charlie, Hunter, Arianne and James watching with BYU Football team

 After practice, the team gathered around Ray and presented him with lots of BYU tee shirts, hats and a great BYU flag that had been signed by each player.  It was very touching. They then asked Ray to sign their flag that they take out onto the field with them before every game.  He was told to add the number of his favorite player.  Lots of numbers were being shouted out, and he ended up choosing #10 Mitch Matthews.

Ray, touched and in tears, shaking hands with Travis Tuiloma

Ashton, James and Hunter getting some HIGH FIVES from Sae Tautu and Nick Kurtz

As the team left, we were able to talk to them and shake their hands, the grands loved giving them all high fives!  I told them how we are so grateful for the good examples they are to our grandchildren.

Shaking hands with Nate Sampson #50 BYU Linebacker

Coach Bronco Mendenhall talking to Cory and Nadia Thompson

 Coach Mendenhall came over and talked to us afterward and we so enjoyed visiting with him and feeling the spirit of this great man.  I told him how much I appreciate the integrity that he has brought to the program.  After everyone else had gone, Mitch Matthews was helping a team mate with footwork and the little boys were wondering if they could taste the blue gatorade on the table.  They went over and asked Mitch if that would be alright.  I told them that  once they drank that blue Gatorade they would be True Blue Cougars for the rest of their lives and would need to come to BYU to school!  They all grinned!  It was such a lovely morning.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall talking with Ray and Sandy Osburn, Charlie Morrey and Hunter Thompson

Go BIG BLUE - Ray's new BYU flag signed by the team Ray and Sandra Osburn March 30 2015

On facebook I wrote,

"It was such an honor today to be at the last Spring Practice for BYU's football team. They honored Ray as one of their "Thursday Heros" for his courage in his battle with cancer and his constant service to others. (Thank you Taysom for nominating him). We toured the athletic facility (Thank you Clay), watched spring practice (we all liked the Unity drills!) met the team (Thank you for being good examples - the grands were so thrilled to meet you!) and talked to Coach Bronco Mendenhall. Thank you all for a wonderful morning. I am so grateful for the amazing spirit that resides on BYU campus - I am proud that it is my Alma Mater and I love it there!."

Such a fun day adn it was Arianne's Birthday as well, so we celebrated at Brick Oven
Ray, MaCaleb, Joshua, Brittany, Arianne, Charlie, Nathanial, Ruth, James, Ashton, Hunter

Hunter ~ Dino Action

Waiting for Dessert to Arrive 

A Backwards Birthday Song ~ Happy Birthday, Arianne!
with Nathanial, Ruth Morrey, James, Ashton

It was also Arianne's birthday today, so we all walked over to the Brick Oven and had lunch.  The wait staff came and sang Happy Birthday to her, the short backward version!  Thank you to all of you who could come and support Ray today - we so love and appreciate you!  It was a wonderful day!