BYUtv's "Big Stories" Returns for Fourth Season Featuring NFL Legends and Untold Stories from Across the Big 12

Twelve new episodes of the award-winning documentary series air and stream free on BYUtv and the BYUtv app throughout 2026 football season

PROVO, Utah, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BYUtv, the home of inspiring family entertainment available over cable, satellite and free streaming, announced the return of award-winning documentary series "Big Stories" from BYUtv Sports Nation with 12 new episodes highlighting the people, journeys and communities from the Big 12 and beyond that make college athletics meaningful far beyond the scoreboard. "Big Stories" airs before every home and away game on BYU's national TV network which reaches a combined 70 million U.S. households. Each 7- to 10-minute episode will be available to stream for free alongside each game on the BYUtv app and at BYUtv.org.

Rather than breaking down depth charts and debating playoff scenarios in their pre-game show, BYU "Big Stories" celebrate the good in each of its opponents. Subjects this season include:

• Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, whose journey from a challenging upbringing in Sacramento to the University of Arizona and on to the Chicago Bears is a testament to perseverance and giving back through his Briggs4Kidz Foundation;
• Notre Dame legend and Outland Trophy winner Chris Zorich, who grew up scavenging for food in grocery store dumpsters and now runs a foundation fighting food scarcity; and
• UCF's Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, the twin brothers who conquered the NFL together as Shaquem played both college and professional football despite having his arm partially amputated.

"Our motto at BYUtv is to see the good in the world, and for us that starts with our opponents," said Dave Phillips Jr., BYUtv Head of Sports Broadcasting. "With each episode of 'Big Stories,' we strive to give back by shining the spotlight on the inspiring people within the communities that host us each season. The result is a viewing experience for all ages that serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from pressing forward, no matter the odds."

This season ventures into six additional sports outside of football, including collegiate pickleball, equestrian, wrestling, baseball, basketball and soccer to reflect the full breadth of the college athletic experience across the Big 12 and beyond. Viewers will meet subjects whose stories span continents, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Chicago and small-town Texas. Stories of physical hardship and rehabilitation will air alongside quieter stories of fatherhood, community building and the decision to trade personal ambition for a life of service:

• Utah Tech (Sept. 5): A 16-year-old concurrent enrollment student anchors the nation's No. 1 collegiate pickleball team at Utah Tech, where a familial culture has turned a fast-growing sport into a powerhouse program.
• Arizona (Sept. 12): Seven-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs traces his path from a challenging upbringing in Sacramento to stardom at Arizona and the Chicago Bears as well as the foundation he built to make sure the next generation doesn't have to make it alone.
• Colorado State (Sept. 19): CSU offensive lineman Zack Golditch survived the Aurora Theater Shooting and channeled his second chance into a life of service, becoming a fireman dedicated to protecting his community.
• TCU (Oct. 3): TCU equestrian athlete Sydney Feager spent weeks hospitalized after a horrific car accident, then fought her way back to competition and team leadership to prove resilience looks different in every arena.
• Iowa State (Oct. 9): Two-time World Championship silver medalist Alli St. John became the first head coach of Iowa State's women's wrestling program, pioneering a new chapter for one of the fastest-growing sports in college athletics.
• Notre Dame (Oct. 17): Chris Zorich grew up scavenging for food on Chicago's south side, became a Notre Dame legend under Lou Holtz, played for the Bears, and now runs a foundation ensuring no family has to know the hunger he did.
• UCF (Oct. 24): Twin brothers Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin went from UCF to the Seattle Seahawks together, with Shaquem playing every snap with one hand, and now share a message about family, faith and redefining what's possible.
• Arizona State (Oct. 31): Fifth-year senior Jalen Klemm suffered a stroke that stole his entire 2024 season, then leaned on his faith to fight back for one final ride at ASU.
• Utah (Nov. 7): Garett Bolles was kicked out of his home as a teenager, taken in by a new family and rebuilt his life through a mission, junior college and the University of Utah before eventually becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick who now pays it forward.
• Baylor (Nov. 14): After a torn ACL, MCL, LCL and nerve damage left him unable to lift his foot, Baylor basketball's Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua refused to let the injury define him, instead returning to the court and now coaching the next generation with the faith that carried him back.
• Kansas (Nov. 21): Head baseball coach Dan Fitzgerald has guided the Jayhawks to historic heights on the diamond, but calls learning about his son Max's autism the hardest and most rewarding journey of his life, one that turned an annual Autism Awareness Night into a community movement.
• Cincinnati (Nov. 28): John Manga fled the atrocities of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, found an "American Mom" in Paula Hollis and built a new life through soccer at Cincinnati. He now pays it forward as a college coach at Northeastern.

"Every institution in the Big 12 carries a history shaped by people, communities, defining moments and traditions," said Kauri Black, Vice President of Broadcast and Emerging Platforms in the Big 12. "BYUtv's 'Big Stories' series authentically captures and amplifies those stories while spotlighting the people and programs shaping each institution today. BYUtv is helping define how the Big 12 is seen, understood and remembered."

'Big Stories' is produced in-house by BYUtv. The series' West Virginia episode chronicling the story of Kevin Pittsnogle won an SVG College Sports Media Award this year in the "Outstanding Special Feature" category.

BYUtv streams for free with no subscriptions, in-app purchases or ads. The network is always streaming live, and past and current seasons are all available to binge. BYUtv is available across the country via cable, satellite and multiple digital media platforms. For a complete listing of BYUtv's programming and to view full episodes, visit www.byutv.org or download the app.

About BYUtv
BYUtv provides families more than 2,000 hours of uplifting and compelling programming they can enjoy together. The network's content is trusted, contemporary and clean, yet clever and sophisticated enough to inspire children and parents alike. BYUtv's diverse portfolio of original, co-produced and acquired content includes scripted and unscripted dramas and comedies, competition shows, concert specials and 700+ hours of live HD collegiate sports. BYUtv is available in approximately 40 million homes in every state of the country on DISH Network, DirecTV and more than 130 major cable systems. A digital pioneer, BYUtv was the first U.S. television network to stream all its content live and free of charge over the internet. Today, BYUtv has more than two million YouTube subscribers and two billion views and is available live and on-demand on multiple digital platforms at no cost, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox, Windows, digital apps for iOS and Android, and BYUtv.org. Based in Provo, Utah, BYUtv is part of BYU Broadcasting, which is owned by Brigham Young University.

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