why was Luke Staley so much more popular than Jamaal Williams?
 

A fan base that is known for being mostly white and conservative and Mormon. Guess what? They're going to identify more with white Mormon athletes.

Staley also came from the era where we felt more positively towards BYU football. Now we know it is headed to disaster from an institutional standpoint.

There is no doubt that Williams is better than Staley. It's not even close.

Agree with your general sentiment, disagree with this case.

Cougardom fetishizes African-American athletes.

I know Twitter wasn't around for Staley, but if you were on Twitter you'd see how much JW is on a pedastal. You underestimate adoration for him.

Staley had much higher yards per carry and won the best RB of the nation award.

Etc etc etc.

It depends upon your definition of "better."

If you mean durable and reliable, then yes Williams is heads and tails above Luke. But in terms of explosive power, Luke was better as was Jenkins who was the most explosive runner BYU has ever fielded.

Jamaal wasn't special as a receiver and I don't remember Luke that much but he did seem to have that flash.

I disagree that the favoritism is based on race but based on the memories of defeating Utah and of those dashes to glory. We have lots of great memories of Williams but none of him defeating Utah in the last minute.

Jamaal doesn't have breakaway speed.

Also, fans rushed the field just for Jamaal.

I disagree that BYU fans have a bias against black athletes. In fact, I tend to side with Chino that BYU fans have a bias in favor of black athletes because they are more rare at BYU than elsewhere. Because of that BYU fans tend to elevate most AAs at BYU, maybe expecting more of them than is fair.

Now, do BYU fans understand or have biases against black culture? Probably, due to ignorance and a lack of familiarity with it.

So who is the most revered black athlete in the history of BYU?

Football? Jamaal Williams. Jamal Willis? Leon White should also be considered.
Basketball? Jeff Chatman. Brandon Davies?
Track? Frankie Fredericks. Next Leonard Miles Mills.

Baseball? Not sure.
In the Olympic sports, BYU hasn't had many heroes period.

Golf? Keith Clearwater?
Volleyball?
Wrestling? Defunct.


Women's sports?
I barely know the names even though I watch.
Basketball? There is the tall player who is playing pro ball in the Midwest.
Volleyball?
Track?
Softball?

What else?

Swimming?
Tennis?