Gifford Nielsen Part 2: Revolutionizing College Football

Gifford Nielsen dreamed of playing basketball, but a surprise prompting, a rough start, and a little faith led him to become BYU’s All-American quarterback—and the face of a football revolution. In part two of this Deep Blue conversation, Elder Nielsen reflects on LaVell Edwards’ bold decision to commit to the pass, the arrival of football guru Doug Scoville, and how BYU’s offense changed the landscape of college football. He also shares his NFL journey, his unexpected rise in broadcasting, and how every step—both planned and unplanned—led him to a calling as a General Authority Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.