Most National Exposure created by former BYU Football Player

OK - for this poll the measure is based on national recognition of BYU by non BYU fans associated with a former BYU player who acheived best (or nearly best) in the nation status at what they do at BYU or in the NFL for at least one season. So if you ask your average Duck or Gator to name in 3 seconds or less the grat NFL or college player they most associate with BYU - who are they going to name. Now they might remember a connection for good or for bad i.e. maybe Jimmer maybe Davies if the question was about a 2010/11 basketball player.



Sark went 14-1. Mac won the Miracle Bowl and the Super Bowl and set every record in sight that held until Detmer beat Miami and then broke most of them while winning a Heisman Trophy. Todd Christensen was a phenom as an NFL tight end. Steve Young unseated Joe Montana on his way to the Super Bowl. Bart Oates is the best npn-skill player I can remember that went from BYU to th eNFL. Of courese no one remebers defensive players or Offensive linemen. I suppose Austin Collie may get to this elite stataus some day if he gets and stays healthy.



Basically - for most non-BYU fans - unless the player did something significant after graduating from BYU or it was a national controversy like Detmer's Heisman or the 1984 NC - most of the fans around the country never heard about it, paid attention to it, or even tried to remember it.

Steve Young got tons of national attention for many reasons; from being the 40 million dollar kid (biggest contract ever at the time), to the controversy with Montana, to his well documented single status throughout his playing career, to becoming the consensus best player in the NFL. he was considered so good that they actually gave the POY honors to another the year before he was forced to retire (concussions), reasonning that he would just win it again next year, and that this was the other guy's only chance. :bug:

It's true that no one remembers the offensive lineman and that's why Bart Oates doesn't qualify for the 'most recognizable' aspect of this poll, but I've worked with the guy while I was still in NJ and can't say enough good things about him.

Easily Young.



Not only has he been in the public eye more than anyone else, but he is Brigham's great-great-great grandson.

They have all been heard/seen in the national spotlight, mostly for good reasons. And most recently Collie has been in the news for his expected return, but Young still contributes as a sports guy and is loved by everybody. I'm glad Mcmahon went back to BYU and for his time there, but his impact wasn't always positive.

Steve Young, and it is not even close. Playing days at BYU, playing days in the NFL, and his current broadcaster gig at ESPN. Easily the most recognizable former BYU athlete ever.

Gotta go with Steve Young. 1995 Super Bowl MVP, Most TD's thrown in a Super Bowl (6), 3rd best passer rating in NFL history (best among QB's no longer playing). Easily BYU's most recognizable pro athlete.

I didn't think Detmer's hiesman was really a national controversy. The 1984 National championship does seem to still carry some controversy with it, mainly just with Utah and Washington fans though.



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CougarClaw wrote:
It's true that no one remembers the offensive lineman and that's why Bart Oates doesn't qualify for the 'most recognizable' aspect of this poll, but I've worked with the guy while I was still in NJ and can't say enough good things about him.

I just had a former O/L - a former 2-year starter for SDSU in the 1998/9 timeframe in my office today. He told me he played football for the Aztecs. Looking at him, I thought he was a bit tall for a Safety or Receiver (given his build) and too skinny for a tight end. I eventually asked what position he played. I about fell out of my chair. Greg Spillane was a 300 pound guard but is probably about 6'5" and barely 200 pounds, if that, now. He is in sales. We will have dinner tomorrow night. I will pop this question to him in the context of most famous BYU lineman and see who he comes up with. He will probably pick Merlin Olsen haha.