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BYU is right to exclude Jim. He didn't graduate and he opted to defy the rules of BYU. Jim even stated in he was glad to get the hell out of there. So why should they honor him?

Could there have been a greater "odd couple" than McMahon and BYU in college football ever? I agree with the Warden greatly in reference to the graduation tidbit.

I think Jim generates more talk for not being in the Brigham Young Hall of Fame. ( I don't know there was such a thing)

Anyways, I sure Jim could care less.

I don't think the "punk QB " really cares.

Jim McMahon went on to win a Super Bowl and become a "celebrity" on a much larger stage, so he may not care whether BYU honors him.

The fact is, however, that although he may not have adhered to their ideology and practices, he also didn't do anything hugely embarrassing to the school. He wasn't running around getting into bar fights and getting arrested every weekend, or beating up on his girlfriends. What Jim McMahon did at BYU could more properly be classified as college hijinks than malicious or criminal behavior. Additionally, he did achieve greatness on the football field wearing a Cougars uniform.

With all that being said, there's no question as to whether Jim McMahon belongs in BYU's Hall Of Fame. The question is... Is Brigham Young University so uptight and morally superior that they will deny this man his rightful place among their finest.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:39 AM ET  11.01 by The Warden

BYU is right to exclude Jim. He didn't graduate and he opted to defy the rules of BYU. Jim even stated in he was glad to get the hell out of there. So why should they honor him?

They shouldn't.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:43 AM ET  11.01 by Sexton

I think Jim generates more talk for not being in the Brigham Young Hall of Fame. ( I don't know there was such a thing)Anyways, I sure Jim could care less.

The phrase is "COULDN'T care less" Sexton.

Actually, "couldn't care less" and "could care less" mean the same thing except that the 2nd one implies sarcasm. Either way, one doesn't care.

I didn't know one's religious beliefs were a factor in being voted in the BYU Hall of Fame. The first thing I know about any "morally superior" person is that he/she is inferior... so why care what any of them might think?

I imagine BYU would be willing to honor him in their Hall of Fame if McMahon would even show the least bit of kindness to BYU but I'm pretty sure he has never been back, has little or nothing nice to say about BYU and frankly, has been kind of a jerk regarding BYU (big surprise). Contrast that with those that are honored in BYU's Hall of Fame and you'll find they have all been friends of the school that were grateful for their time at BYU and have been back many times to show their gratitude. The point is it is a two way street. It's hard to ask any group to honor someone who acts the way he does about their organization. Oh, and for the record, BYU's Hall of Fame includes others who are not of their faith.

It has nothing to do with "moral superiority", GlennAllen. It has to do with an institution making its own rules and abiding by them. One could argue that you're the one with "superiority" issues, since you arrogantly called them "inferior", displaying more bigotry than they ever did.

Jim McMahon helped BYU win games. Thats all they wanted from him was for him to play football. Soon as he couldn't play football anymore, they kicked him out of school. Notre Dame didn't exclude Rocket Ismail beause he isn't Catholic. Mormons want to be respected, this stuff doesn't help.

Jim McMahon and BYU had a contentious relationship. There's no doubt about that. The question is whether he did so much damage to the University and its reputation that it overshadows his football accomplishments.

Before you answer that, think about this: We all know what Maurice Clarrett did at OSU, Peter Warrick's troubles at FSU are well documented, that Lawrance Phillips beat his girlfriend at Nebraska is fairly common knowledge, Brian Bosworth's behavior was national news at Oklahoma... the list goes on and on. Anyone recall Jim McMahon's transgressions while at BYU?

That BYU is taking this kind of stand demonstrates their intolerance, not Mr. McMahon's.

McMahon needs to qualify to be inducted. He opted not to finish his degree. A degree is required. If he wants to be inducted he should look at graduating. It seems that this is more a case of a desire by his father and not by McMahon himself.

BYU is a private institution, thus it is can make it's rules and induct whomever it pleases into it's football hall of fame. McMahon didn't have to go to BYU, I don't believe he was forced to sign a letter of intent nor agree to their rules. Just as he made an informed choice to attend BYU so did he make an adult choice to break their rules and bad-mouth them. Trash talking one's Alma mater then hoping they look kindly upon oneself later in life typically does not have the intended result.

While I don't agree with the Mormon theology, the rules set forth by BYU are good and honorable ones. They're the sort of rules which teach or imply personally responsibility. Regrettably, it seems, this paradigm is steadily being replaced with a sense of entitlement in increasing numbers of our country men and women.

Hey, you know wha........wait......
Man, they shou.........nope......
I tried. I really tried. I still don't care.

Howard Stern doesn't belong in the Radio Hall of Fame either. Jim McMahon should be insulted to be compared to that Jewish pinhead.

While there is legitimacy to the argument as to whether BYU used Jim McMahon to win, even while he broke their rules, what hasn't been pointed out is BYU has tried to maintain a positive relationship with their star quarterback after he left and after he bad mouthed the University. Case in point. While he has yet to enter the BYU Hall of Fame, BYU Administration brought Jimmy Mac back in 1998(?) when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Showing up in a black trenchcoat and his classic shades, he was given his own halftime ceremony with a presentation, video highlight and a resounding standing ovation from 65,000 faithful (see http://deseretnews.com/cgi-bin/cqcgi_plus/@plus.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=RTOBCHU BQBBH&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=10&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES). Also as to how the state of Utah views McMahon (and a recap of the quarterback factory) see http://deseretnews.com/cgi-bin/cqcgi_plus/@plus.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=RTOBCHU BQBBH&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=14&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES
Whether or not Jim McMahon is put in the Cougar Hall of Fame, he will forever be remembered as Cougars will never forget the 1980 Miracle Bowl, his NCAA records and the fact BYU's own Legacy Hall is decorated with countless McMahon memorabilia and highlights. The man is a legend and that accounts for itself.

The Warden's comment was relevant - most of the rest of this discussion is not. There is only one reason he is not in BYU's Hall: he didn't graduate. BYU's AD has offered several times to let Jim take the final 9 required credits online so he can graduate and get in the hall. Jim refuses.

Not all schools have that requirement for their hall, but BYU does. So does Stanford, which is why Tiger Woods is not in their golf Hall of Fame.

You're wrong about him not slapping his girlfriends. He slapped one a lot (she used to cut my hair). Otherwise, regarding this whole issue: the BYU throng still love this guy and dearly would love to induct him. He just needs to show a little humility and take the stupid 9 hours to graduate. Quit playing the victim, pud, and do the right thing.

Thad847 is exactly right. Does the term Student Athlete still mean anything? Of course, not much in a lot of places. But at BYU it does and thus one must graduate to be in the Hall of Fame. To qualify one must not only be a great athlete, but a successful student. Refusing to finish disqualifies Jim from being a successful student. I see nothing wrong with that requirment and in fact, am glad to see it. Good for BYU.

Jim was phenominal. He has unsurpassed recognition in UT and at BYU. But he doesn't qualify. And he doesn't care. It has nothing to do with religion or moral superiority. It has everything to do with setting high standards and sticking to them. Why do some have a problem with that? Again, good for BYU.