Local Sports Heroes Become Jedi…And Sith

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away…

Okay, where we’re going isn’t actually that long ago or that far away but it feels wrong to not start any article that’s Star Wars related with those words.

With the conclusion of the Skywalker saga, SportsBeat Afterhours decided to take a look at some of the most important characters from the Star Wars universe and find counterparts in sports personalities from the state. The results were funny, weird, but most importantly accurate.

Yoda is LaVell Edwards

Yoda is the longest-tenured Jedi master and had a major influence on the teachings of generations of Jedi Knights. His application and teachings of the force were innovative and continue to influence the teachings of Jedi past, future, and present.

Even though he has passed, his influence is still felt and passed on by those who learned from him.

The Emperor is Urban Meyer

Where there is light, there is an equal counterpart in darkness. Senator Palpatine had a meteoric rise through the galactic Senate picking up wins left and right while continuing to climb the ladder before taking over as emperor of the entire galaxy.

His ways are controversial but effective.

Darth Vader is Kyle Whittingham

The chosen one of the force. It seemed to be that he would deliver the Jedi and bring balance to the force once Yoda had moved on.

Instead, his mind was turned by The Emperor and he continued his master’s mission of galactic dominance tenfold.

Boba Fett is the 2019 Utah Football Season

Boba Fett is a key player in the original trilogy. He was the mysterious character with sick gear, a dope helmet, and all the gadgets and gizmos that come when you’re with the big boys. He was teased in the first movie, had a big impact in Empire, but ultimately came up short of his goal.

Sports Wars: EPISODE XLVI – Retribution of the After Hours
🚨🚨🚨🚨
On the heels of the release of #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker hosts @HemaHeimuliJr and @zakhicken make their 2019 Utah sports comps to the #StarWars universe…⤵️
LISTEN 🎧:https://t.co/AmVOYU3cMS pic.twitter.com/rZLPmxg58u

— SBAH 2.0 (@SBAfterhours) December 20, 2019

How? It seemed like his job was finished, but he was ultimately knocked into the Sarlac pit unexpectedly by a blind, flailing, Han Solo at the last minute.

Rey is Kalani Sitake

The new kid on the block, first time doing this whole Jedi thing but has seen some major wins in her short time, but still has yet to score that major win over the First Order.

Rey’s biggest influence is changing the way people perceive the Sith and dark side of the force, and honestly, she has a pretty unique relationship to her “enemy”.

C3PO is Bronco Mendenhall

The gold plated robot is very technical in every aspect of his life whether in interactions or helping the rebels. He’s proficient and finds human interaction a pointless waste of time.

Qui Gon Jinn is Karl Malone

A wise master of the force that is deeply respected by his counterparts. He possessed brute strength and dominated his opponents in combat. He was at his best when he was partnered with his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is John Stockton

Another wise master of the force. He was able to read his opponents’ defenses and picked them apart. He was best in helping set up his partners to help them be effective in battle. His best partnership was with Quin Gon Jinn.

Luke Skywalker is Donovan Mitchell

He’s new to the force but has showed a quick mastery. He’s delivered the rebellion from some of the darkest periods in galactic history, and still has enough time to continue to dominate the forces of evil for heads to come.

Chewbacca is Rudy Gobert, Han Solo is Joe Ingles

The dynamic duo that’s a key supporter to the main hero. Han is a sharpshooter that can knock down any shot he takes, Chewey is a staple of the franchise, appearing in movies across all three trilogies and has been a major supporting character through different eras of Star Wars history.

May the force be with you.