He grew up in West Valley and his mom was a member (semi-active) but his dad was not. He really did not identify with the church or active Mormon kids. He has always struggled with school, work, etc. and has even been arrested a few times for possession (he likes weed), and I think distribution.

Even though he wasn't really a sports fan, he hated BYU sports. I think it was the Church connection, even though he was way more vocal about hating BYU than anything else about the Church, though he had no love lost there.

After the 2004 season, he became more vocal about hating BYU and kind of latched on as Utah fan (even though he only went to 1 semester at SLCC and never attended U of U).

Anyway in 2006, the first time he was arrested and booked, he was really freaked out. While he was in the holding cell, he felt afraid for his safety and was just generally scared as this was his first serious run in with the police. Well, he was wearing a Utah hoody and one of the meaner looking dudes in the holding cell eyed him up and down and then smiled and said "Go Utes!".

Well, that broke down all sorts of barriers. He chatted with the guys in the cell, compared arrest stories and ultimately made some great friends.

And now he's not afraid when he gets arrested anymore.

So, if you get arrested in Utah, be sure to say "Go Utes" to the other guys there. It may just help a scared first timer feel better about himself. And it may keep you from having "issues" yourself.