If you ask senior defensive back Ben Criddle he will tell you he's living the dream.
"I always wanted to play football for BYU," Criddle said. "You grow up watching games and thinking what a fantastic thing it would be to run out of the tunnel having 60,000 fans screaming for you. Being a part of this team is living the dream."
It didn't sink in, though, until the third game of the 2006 season. It was the first quarter, and the 6-foot, 185-pound Arizona native had made a routine tackle against No. 23-ranked Boston College.
"I remember getting up from that tackle and looking at the crowd, and it finally hit me," Criddle said. "I thought this is crazy. I am on ESPN playing Division I football right now. It's definitely surreal, and I think I've surprised a lot of people along the way."
After dominating on the field last year with 12 regular-season starts, 53 tackles and two interceptions, it may come as a shock to learn that Criddle walked on to the Cougar team two years ago.
"Coach [Bronco] Mendenhall always plays the best players whether you're a walk-on or not," Criddle said. "I thought I might have a chance."
From Scout Team to Starter
Looking back, though, Criddle laughs remembering what it was like to initially try out. As a walk-on you are given a bright yellow jersey and are not given a helmet with a "Y" on it, like the returning players.
"Everyone knows you're a walk-on 'that you are essentially a scrub,'" Criddle said.
But that didn't stop Criddle, who was confident in his abilities as a player.
"I knew I could play, but I didn't necessarily know what to expect," Criddle said. "Naturally I was scared and intimidated, but I walked on anyway."
The first day of tryouts, white helmet and all, Criddle showed up ready to make some noise on the charts.
"I think initially the coaches saw that I could get the job done," Criddle said. "I don't think they thought I was going to do anything spectacular when they first saw me. They probably thought, 'He's a decent player. Let's put him out there and see what he can do.'"
Criddle has ended up doing very well, finishing last season never giving up a touchdown, He was even honored as the Walk-On of the Year at the annual Cougar Club Y Awards.
Criddle's addition to the BYU roster, though, was no surprise for Criddle's mother.
"Because of Ben's strong determination I knew he had a chance," said Leah Criddle. "I was overjoyed when he actually made it, but I can't say I was really surprised."
Criddle's determination may have helped him make the team, but it is his work ethic and discipline that helped him earn a starting position last season. BYU defensive coach Jaime Hill said Criddle is a very conscientious individual and will do all he can to enhance his ability as an athlete.
"All the success Ben has achieved is based on hard work," Coach Hill said. "He is willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve it."
Criddle said he hates being mediocre and is always finding ways to improve. In fact one of Criddle's favorite techniques in figuring out his opponents is watching film. He spends an average of eight to 10 hours a week studying and dissecting film.
"I love being able to predict what is going to happen," Criddle said. "You learn little cues like you are playing poker. It's like I know what you're going to do now because of what you have done in the past. I think it makes me the player I am."
And Criddle has been able to play his cards right in advancing to the Division I level.
The Path to Provo
After playing two solid seasons at the junior college level, both at Eastern Arizona and Glendale Community College, Criddle decided to continue his football career at a higher level.
Southern Utah University offered Criddle a scholarship, which he initially decided to take. It wasn't until the morning he was supposed to leave for school that he changed his mind.
"I was all packed up," Criddle said. "I had prayed that night and said 'If my decision is wrong, please tell me.'"
When Criddle woke up at 4 a.m. with an uneasy feeling, he decided to instead take his chances walking on at BYU. Coaches had told Criddle that if he walked on he would probably make the team, but nothing was certain.
"My whole plan was to walk on, make the team, redshirt and learn," Criddle said. "And that's pretty much what happened."
A Different Kind of Beginning
Football has become imbedded in many aspects of Criddle's life. In fact he credits the beginnings of his testimony to football, specifically to his very first game.
Criddle's father coached an older brother's flag football team. Being just six years old, Criddle would go with his dad to practices all season but would never play in the games.
"Ben was just a bundle of energy and always wanted to be on the go," said Leah Criddle. "We had to keep him busy."
The Monday evening before the last game of the season, the Criddle family gathered together for Family Home Evening. The lesson that particular week was on the power of prayer, emphasizing the point that if one has a righteous desire the Lord will grant it.
"My righteous desire was to play in the next game, get an interception and run it back for a touchdown," Criddle said. "I vividly remember getting on my knees the night before the big game and praying that I could get an interception."
The next morning, with two minutes left in the game and unaware of his son's desire, Criddle's father put him in as linebacker. With a wide receiver to his right, the quarterback from the opposing team stepped back and threw the ball.
"I picked it off and ran it for a touchdown," Criddle said. "Right then and there I knew the Lord answers prayers."
A Father and a Coach
Not only did Criddle's testimony begin as a young child, but also his drive for excellence. Criddle attributes his ambition and determination to his father's influence.
"My dad has always been very positive and supportive," Criddle said.
Criddle enjoyed Sunday afternoons growing up when he and his dad would go outside to play catch and run patterns. Having his dad as his flag football coach, Criddle remembers hearing the same repeated phrase year after year. That phrase has almost become a motto for Criddle even at BYU.
Are you guys football players or are you guys champions? Criddle's dad, Mike, would ask the team every year. At first the boys would look around and answer football players, of course, to which his father always had the same reply. No, you're champions. Champions never give up, and they always give 100 percent.
"It kind of became a trademark," Mike Criddle said. "I tried to instill in them that the outcome of the game didn't matter, but it was their responsibility to give their best."
It didn't take long for the boys to catch on. By the end of the season team huddles ended with Mike Criddle asking the famous question and the team answering champions at the top of their lungs.
"My dad taught me how to be a champion," Criddle said. "If I turn out anything like my dad, or close to it, I will have accomplished a lot in my life."
Just a Friendly Guy
As much as Criddle takes football seriously, anyone who knows him will tell you of his friendly and fun-loving personality. And he's been like that his whole life. His mother said several times as a child she thought he had been kidnapped only later to find him down the street playing with children they didn't even know.
"I would get calls all the time at work informing me that Ben had disappeared again," Mike Criddle said. "When we found him he would just say 'They're my new best friend.' He has always just loved meeting and being around people."
Off the field Criddle considers himself a goofball and likes to make people laugh. On the field, even though Criddle is all business, he enjoys pleasing the crowd during games.
"I like entertaining," Criddle said. "My personality is just that way. Not only is it my competitive nature to win, but I want people to have a good time, too."
Criddle admits, though, it's sometimes difficult for him to find a balance between his light-hearted personality and his drive for excellence. According to his dad, Criddle has always been very social but at the same time will out work anyone on the field. And because of that Criddle wants to make the most of his time here as a Cougar.
"I only have one chance to be here at BYU and to play Division I football," Criddle said. "I don't take it very lightly."
Ode to the Scout Team
It is because of football that Ben Criddle - and
the entire BYU football team - discovered Criddle's
hidden talent for music.
Being a part of the scout team, Criddle and 12
other walk-ons crammed into the alumni locker room
(adjacent to the main locker room) to dress out
every day. Other scout-team members who shared
Criddle's love of singing, particularly former BYU
wide receiver Troy Sheide (son of Gary of the 1974
fame), always ended up singing in the small room.
"We were thinking about it one day and thought it
would be funny to make up a song about being on the
scout team," Criddle said.
So Sheide and Criddle found a piano on campus and
went to work. In two hours they composed a light-
hearted song expressing their thoughts on being a
member of the scout team, including free POWERade,
discount clothing and helmets without a "Y".
"We really didn't think anything of it," Criddle said.
"We were just having fun with it. We called it the Ode
to the Scout Team."
But Criddle and Sheide had team members cracking up
on the bus while traveling to the Pioneer PureVision
Las Vegas Bowl in 2005. The team enjoyed it so much,
Criddle and Sheide ended up singing it at the team
banquet and also during the annual Cougar Club Y
Awards as a tribute to the 2005-06 Walk-On of the
Year.
The Ode to the Scout Team came full circle in April
during the 2006-07 Y Awards when Criddle himself was
awarded Walk-On of the Year.
To view a video of Criddle and Sheide performing the
scout team song, go to: www.byucougars.com/criddle-sheide
Lyrics:
I once had a dream
That I'd be worth something
And I know dreams come true
Now that I'm on the scout team
I am far from fame
And I don't play in the game
And I don't have a number
They don't even know my name
The players in the locker room
Assume that I'm a part of the cleaning crew
But when they see my yellow cap and jersey
That's when they beat the living crud out of me
Chorus:
I'm on the scout team
Discount clothing and the POWERade is free
You won't find any Y's on our helmet
Bronco won't give them to us yet
I once had a girl but I lost her
Because she couldn't find my name on the roster
But next year she'll find out who I am
Giving out water with a towel in hand
The weaklings lift at 6 a.m.
My shoulders, fibula, ribs, fingers,
sternum, metacarpals, groin, spinal cord - my body aches
But the program knows I'm easily replaced
Before the ball snaps I jump off sides
Then Bronco yells at me because I was to blame
Hallelujah, he knows my name
Chorus:
I'm on the Scout team
Discount clothing and the POWERade is free
You won't find any Y's on our helmet
Bronco won't give them to us yet.