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PROVO -- BYU's starting forward Brandon Davies has been dismissed from the men's basketball team after an honor code violation.
I've always shared this with people, that (suspension from BYU) was probably one of the best things that had happened to me.
–Reno Mahe, former BYU athlete
#mahe_quote
Over the years, other BYU star athletes have been disciplined because of honor code violations. But in the long run, some of those athletes believe it was for the best.
"I've always shared this with people: that it was probably one of the best things that had happened to me," said Reno Mahe, a former football player who suspended from BYU in 1998 because of an honor code violation. It happened right after his freshman season.
"I appreciate what BYU did to me," Mahe said. "I appreciate the honor code and what it stands for. I appreciate that they enforce it. You get a lot of schools that say they have codes, but I don't think anyone enforces it like BYU does."
Mahe said he learned that he was no better than anyone else.
Mahe does feel for Davies because his suspension is being widely reported in the press and coming at a crucial time for the No. 3-ranked Cougars, who are vying for a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
"This is what you decide as an athlete, that when the good is there, you are going to get attention. When the bad is there, you will get that same attention. But as far as fans, BYU fans, be better than that. Don't harp the kid. Make him want to come back," Mahe said.
After two years, Mahe did come back to BYU. He was reinstated and had a successful career on the football team, and later went on to play in the NFL.
"My advice to him is to learn the lesson that needs to be learned," Mahe said. "There's a lesson to be learned. I don't know what it is, but come back. It's a great school. It's a one-of-a-kind school."
It will be some time until we know what the future holds for Brandon Davies at BYU. He is in his sophomore year, so he still has plenty of eligibility if he does come back.
Many fans out here tonight tell us they hope he will.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
