BYU Legend Paul Lasike Retires as A Warrior On and Off the Field

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 7:44 AM ET

When the final whistle blew at Zions Bank Stadium, the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing being celebrated. Beneath the bright Utah sky, with fireworks overhead and fans flooding the field, Paul Lasike, former BYU star turned international rugby standout, stood with his family in the middle of it all, soaking in the moment. This wasn’t just another game. This was the end of an era.

Lasike, once a bruising fullback in BYU’s backfield and later a trailblazing rugby force, officially retired from professional sports Saturday night. And in true Lasike fashion, he left the game just as he played it: humbly, powerfully, and with fans cheering him every step of the way.

Lasike’s path is one that defies borders and breaks molds. Born in New Zealand, Lasike moved to Utah as a teenager to play for Highland Rugby, where he won a national championship before enrolling at BYU. It was at BYU that his legend took root, winning four rugby national titles and carving out a football career as a walk-on who earned a scholarship and tallied over 1,100 yards from scrimmage.

“I remember wanting to give up so many times, but I’m glad I stuck with it,” Lasike told Deseret News.

That perseverance propelled him into the NFL, where he suited up for the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears before rugby came calling again. As the first-ever signing for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby, Lasike earned the nickname “Warrior No. 1” and went on to play professionally in England with Harlequins, winning the Premiership title in 2021.

Yet, even after years on rugby’s biggest stages, the final chapter was always destined to be written back in Utah.

While his decision to retire was driven by mounting injuries and the natural wear of elite competition, Lasike isn’t stepping away from the sport he loves. Instead, he’s heading back to his roots, this time as a coach.

Former BYU coach David Smyth reached out with a new opportunity: to take over the rugby program at Southern Virginia University. For Lasike, the answer was clear.

“Sport is my passion,” he said. “I want to stay close to rugby.”

There’s little debate among those who know Utah sports. Warriors CEO Kimball Kjar put it plainly: “Paul Lasike is hands down the greatest athlete that’s come from the state of Utah.”

From a national championship at Highland, to dual-sport stardom at BYU, to representing the U.S. at the Rugby World Cup, Lasike’s résumé is unmatched. But it’s not just what he did on the field that matters. It’s how he did it: with grit, gratitude, and grace.

Paul Lasike may be retiring, but his story is far from over. Now, instead of breaking tackles, he’ll be building futures. He will continue passing down a legacy that BYU fans, and all of Utah, won’t soon forget.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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