ENOUGH TALK, TIME TO ACT: McKay Madsen Believes “No More Excuses” Not to Play for BYU Football
After a season marked by promise, frustration, and a collective first taste of Big 12 adversity, BYU linebacker McKay Madsen delivered a powerful statement this week: “No more excuses—I’m ready to lead this program.” In a fiery address to the team and media, Madsen made it clear the time has come for Cougar football to translate talk into action.
“There’s been too much talk in Provo,” Madsen said in an emotional presser. “We said we’d compete—we did. We said we’d win—sometimes we did. But now? No more excuses. No more near‑misses. This program demands results—and I’m ready to deliver.”
🔥 A New Voice Rising
Madsen, a senior linebacker and team captain, has quietly become the voice of accountability in the locker room. He’s watched teammates grapple with early-season growing pains, but now believes those trials only sharpen their focus.
> “McKay’s voice resonates because it’s rooted in example,” said head coach Kalani Sitake. “He’s done the work. He’s earned the right to speak truth—and the boys rallied when he did. That’s what leadership looks like.”
Sitake—known for pushing players to embrace mental and physical discomfort—praised Madsen’s declaration as a game-changer. “This is his moment,” Sitake emphasized. “Now he just needs to deliver every down, every snap.
🎯 Culture of Accountability
The comment from Madsen echoes Sitake’s own philosophy of instilling toughness through conviction and challenge. Sitake, in recent years, has encouraged a “no excuses” mindset and “a willingness to get nasty” in practice, pushing the most mature voices to lead by example .
“McKay has embraced that,” Sitake noted, referencing the linebacker’s offseason transformation. “He’s put in the weight room hours, studied the playbook on campus, and he’s the first guy in when we breakdown film. That’s the guy we follow.”
🔁 Turning Words Into Action
For the Cougars, it’s more than bravado—it’s a mission statement. Madsen’s crystal‑clear stance puts pressure on an entire roster, asking each player: *Will you step up? Or stay on the sidelines of greatness?*
Incoming recruits, including four-star EDGE/rush specialist Siale Esera, took note. Esera has been praised for his leadership potential and BYU was the first program to offer him back in 2019 . Now, the Cougars are a team united behind a bold culture reset.
🏈 What Comes Next
As BYU prepares for its next Big 12 test, Madsen’s rally cry will be featured prominently. Sitake’s direction is clear: “We’re not here to fill roles, we’re here to create impact. Either you contribute, or you’re in the way.”
When asked if Madsen’s words marked a turning point, Sitake responded with calm conviction: “This is his moment. Now he just needs to…” deliver—down after down, rep after rep, and win after win.
BOTTOM LINE
BYU linebacker McKay Madsen’s “No more excuses” declaration signals a new chapter, one driven by internal leadership, disciplined intensity, and clear accountability. With Sitake’s backing and rising stars like Siale Esera anchoring the future, Cougar nation is watching closely. Will this be the moment BYU football stops talking—and starts winning?
