UCLA football: Xavier Su'a-Filo to go on Mormon mission
December 29, 2009 | 6:08
pm
UCLA tackle Xavier Su’a-Filo said he will go on his two-year Mormon mission and not return to school next year.
Su’a-Filo, an 18-year-old freshman who started every game this season, said he will leave for Utah immediately and begin the training process. He also said he plans to return to UCLA at the end of his mission.
“I went through the same process as I did when I decided to come here,” said Su’a-Filo, who was a prep All-American at Timpview High in Provo, Utah. “That was the best decision I ever made. I thought about it long and hard, and prayed, and I feel that this is something I need to do right now.”
--Chris Foster
chris.foster@latimes.com
twitter.com/cfosterlatimes
If only Neuheisel would go on a mission now...
Posted by: Zack E. Farms | December 29, 2009 at 07:10 PM
My god.....no pun intended.....why do coaches recruit Mormons?
Posted by: Brian C. | December 29, 2009 at 08:51 PM
Thanks for a great hear Xavier and we look forward to your return!!!!!
GREAT WIN BRUINS!
Posted by: JosephineBruin | December 30, 2009 at 12:09 AM
What a waste of a scholarship.... I guess UcLa was desperate...... winning programs dont recruit mormons.. look at USC, they never do that!
Posted by: nile | December 30, 2009 at 01:15 AM
B/c great football players come from all walks of life and religions. This kid will be back for spring training in 2012; coaches know that LDS players consider two year missions, some go and some don't.
Posted by: Ryan | December 30, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Good for him! It always makes me happy to read news about people who are willing to "give it all up" to serve in some selfless capacity. While some people may disagree with the motives of his church mission, their arguments are rather nonsensical considering it's his decision alone and not theirs to make. I'm sure the things he experiences during his two-year sabbatical will be rewarding, and if football is in his future, then I'm sure he'll return with honor to play another day.
Posted by: Joe in Texas | December 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Wait, I thought having kids go on Mormon missions and being older when they finally come home is what gives schools like BYU an unfair advantage in football. We should be ecstatic right? Anyone?
Posted by: BruinBlue | December 30, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Check your facts before you say them-
USC
#31 Stanley Havili
MORMON
Posted by: TO: Nile | December 30, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Look at almost every top program in the nation and you will find a mormon athlete on the team. You mentioned USC... well if you checked your facts you would see that Stanley Havili FB (scored two TDs in USC's bowl game) is a Mormon and so is Iona Kavienga, etc. etc... Look at the NFL and you will see 37 Mormons who came out of top 25 schools, not all BYU and Utah.
Posted by: DodgerDoug | December 30, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Let me see...Young man wants to put his life on hold and devote 2 years to serving God and his church. Yeah, he's a bum! I'm a pretty hard-core USC fan and I think it speaks well of the young man. That might have something to do with having served my 2 yrs in Japan, about 30 yrs ago. Oldest son served in Texas, second son is serving in Sao Paulo Brazil. I'm sure it made each of us better men and I'm sure young Mr Sua-Filo will be a better man for it as well.
Posted by: Jimmy | December 30, 2009 at 05:32 PM
We come from all walks of life and judging by how Cal and Oregon St got handled by BYU and Utah (2 teams full of former LDS missionaries)being a former missionary isn't hurting their programs.
Posted by: Jimmy | December 30, 2009 at 05:36 PM
I hope he gets his scholarship back. My son lost his Jackie Robinson Scholarship when he went on his mission, but the Ralph Bunche scholarship was held for him. Congratulations on your integrity Zach!
Posted by: Cheryl | December 31, 2009 at 06:07 AM
Congratulations Xavier! A fine young man. I hope they reinstate our scholarship. My son lost his 4 year Jackie Robinson Scholarship when he went on his mission, but the alumni assn held his Ralph Bunche Scholarship.
Good luck to you!!
Posted by: Cheryl | December 31, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Talk about having things in order! It takes a good man to have good perspective in life. Putting himself first and living a football dream for an athlete or putting all that on hold to put others first. Such a decision only shows a good man and one that this country really needs. If all people put others first, this would be a completely different world. Everyone shouldn't go on a Mormon mission but everyone should do exactly what Xavier is doing!
Posted by: Clay | December 31, 2009 at 07:09 AM
Steve Young regrets never having served a Mormon mission himself...five star athlete Jake Heaps headed to BYU may not serve a mission. It is a personal choice Mormon athletes make. Some go and some don't. One thing is for sure....going on mission lessens the chance of an athlete chances of returning and making an impact and going pro..
It is what it is...what makes you happy?
Posted by: Todd | December 31, 2009 at 01:23 PM
To nile who posted at 1:15 am... winning programs dont recruit mormons??? BYU, Utah, and Boise State are all ranked in the top 20 and heavily recruit Mormons. I think you are a bit niave about the missionary program and how it actually helps a program.
The athlete will return 2 years older and more mature, stronger and better prepared to contribute than is was as a freshman. Get a clue... This will be a good move although you won't see it's results for 2 years!
Posted by: Jerry E | January 01, 2010 at 01:22 PM