Not For Luke: The Story of BYU's Most Prolific Running Back

A student documentary about Luke Staley for our senior journalism capstone at Brigham Young University.
Produced by:
Riley Lewis
Cody Meredith
Justin Reeder
Styler Street
Director of Photography/Editor: Justin Reeder
Special Thanks: Robert Walz
Game footage courtesy of BYUtv
Photos courtesy of BYU Photo
Music:
Dexter Britain; dexterbritain.co.uk
"Second Class Citizen"
"The Time to Run"
"After Christmas"
"From Truth"
Cloudkicker; cloudkickermusic.com
"Loop 1"
"Loop 15"
Premiumbeat.com
"Truth to Tell" by Big Score Audio
Omnimusic.com
"Tempest" by Rob Oxenbridge
Bensounds.com
"Better Days" by Ben Sound
Killertracks.com
"Afterglow" by Chris White
Audiojungle.net
"Don't Leave" by unLatem

[@spezkay81]

Shit is crazy! I played football with Luke in 5th grade. Tualitan Oregon. 1990. We were the white team. He dominated back then. His dad coached us. Gave him the ball almost every single down. We didn’t throw the ball at all. We just have it to Staley. We were undefeated.

[@jwhit6047]

You don't have to agree with me, but it is my personal opinion that Luke Staley is the most talented athlete to ever suit up for the Cougars. He had the heart of a lion, combined with a God given talent for pounding the rock. He had a determination and desire to win at all costs, that I have never seen in any other collegiate athlete in any sport. He literally sacrificed his body for his team, and his fans. It is a shame that he was not better cared for by the medical staff that was in charge of his health. However, he has a legacy that he can be proud of, and he will always be considered one of college footballs greatest running backs. Thank you for making all of those games so enjoyable to watch Luke. I am sorry it has cost you so much.

[@thaynerasmussen2083]

He was so exciting to watch! Wow!🏈

[@jameshughm]

I'll never forget what it was like to go to the stadium as a kid and watch Luke Staley run the football. I used to get chills when he'd get the carry and the entire stadium erupted with, "LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKE".

[@DonLounsbury]

Still remember sitting in the stands at Mississippi State with my father and my son when Luke went down on his last BYU play. My heart broke for him because he'd already had more than his fair share of injuries. You were the best Luke. Watching you play made my life better. You personified the expression, "He left it all out there on the field."

[@thaynerasmussen2083]

Such an unbelievable runner! High stepping to cross the goal line over and over! The nations best runner! A top 100 recruit! Such joy and amazement watching him! So sad about the injuries! Maybe if it happened today their would much better surgery and treatment!👍👌🙏😢🏈🏈❤️!!

[@joecook5689]

Excellent post. He was amazing, fast, strong, like best ever. When I heard he had had like 23 broken bones throughout his life, it made me wonder if he had porous bird bones type unluckiness. You know, how birds bones are lighter so they can fly.

[@musicman4ever100]

my favorite byu athlete of all time. He was the real deal

[@jccody11]

Legend. I remember where I was sitting during that Utah game where he took over. He will always go down in BYU infamy and I'm not sure a running back will ever come through Provo and mirror or eclipse what he did in 2001. He was my idol as a kid, I remember thinking, if only I could be like Luke Staley. His history is etched in BYU lore and will not nor never be erased. Thanks Luke!

[@tahlequahstandingbear1722]

Jcc wonder why most of all the best commits in the bee hive state has to offer go to the University of Utah now . where they can have a gf and not have bunch students spying on them to see if they are doing bad things so glad I didn't go to BYU , when I was told I would have students keeping their eye and watching me and other players to make sure we don't have sexual relations with any girls on campus and if we do it is reported immediately and can be punished with consequences, I have the letter right here , the official visit was so fucking funny a odd they asked specifically in the group who is Mormon and who is not . And rose my hand with couple other men from california like myself . Then we asked why did you even recruit us have us have an official visit . if we're not even Mormon if it's a big deal, then he was not a big deal but there bunch rule that you all should know , and these rules where crazyyyyyyyy

[@RastasNevaDie]

Tahlequah standing bear I can tell u went to Utah because u can’t even spell correctly and what you wrote don’t even make sense lol gtfoh

[@draper15district80]

Most exciting player ever at BYU. I'll never forget it.

[@albertsalazar8675]

I played college football until my body could not recover. Thanks for this documentary on a great human being in Luke. I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down. He is a great example of resilience and being a great husband and father…life after the gridiron

[@brentmacey1421]

I officiated Luke Staley's football games at Tualatin HS. Offensively and defensively he was amazing. As a defensive back, he would get pick sixes frequently. Ran like the wind.

[@HJBR86]

My H.S. (Silverton) was in the same league as Luke (Tualatin) he was an absolute beast. Was an honor to play against him, and was so happy to see how well he did at BYU

[@terryherrera5252]

I really watched BYU Football 🏈 because of Staley !! So powerful n Athletic !! Wish he could have made a life in the nfl !

[@ryanedwardswapp]

Thanks Luke. I grew up going to BYU games with my dad. Still a huge fan today. I was at BYU the same time you were - we're the same age. You were magical. Thanks for your sacrifice. BYU loves you.

[@briandm33]

Level of competition in college football is soo hit and miss. I still think that Tysome Hill was soo underrated and what he did for BYU in his years due to his running ability to score. I think everyone misses that. You loved his athletism and I greatly miss that in a QB. He truely is one special athlete in my book will go down as one of the best college QB runners of all time.

[@BuffaloBack]

@@briandm33 what's this gotta do with luke

[@michaelrowan1829]

That is my brother and I at 14:30 waiting to get an autograph from Luke ( we came all the way from california. forgive my red shirt. i have a blue sweatshirt around my waste that I was wearing). I don't remember much about BYU football before this time. Those memories are too old. My earliest memories of BYU football are LUKE STALEY. Cougar nation loves Luke Staley!

[@dougevans3092]

Extremely well done, and a tremendous tribute to a player and person with the heart of a Lion - woulda coulda shoulda, BUT definitely one of THE best to play the position!

[@Brigmac47]

Wish you the nothing but the best Luke! You look like you were probably in physical pain during the interview. You are a stud and may God continue to bless you and your family with what you stand in need of. Much Love brother

[@coachp651]

Baddest white RB ever I loved him at BYU I was mad af he got hurt!He was a threat to score every time he touched the ball

[@nunya7319]

Chriatian Mc has to be mentioned in that White RB class as well.

[@joecook5689]

Yup. Amazing.

[@jermaineswain3903]

Almost... Not better than Craig James

[@PaultheCanadian]

Luke you were one of the great players at BYU. I appreciated watching you play. I wish you the best!

[@Slugger84629]

Really great production here. I've been a BYU fan since I was an impressionable 13-yr old kid watching an undersized but overachieving Ty Detmer rack up yards and TDs but nothing compares to Luke Staley. Knowing how extraordinary he was and how his injuries took their toll is one of the truly most magnificent yet heart wrenching stories in sports. He was a phenomenal athlete. Sadly, Taysom Hill's story and persona are very similar. All the best to Luke. Thanks for the awesome memories.

[@jmiller7471]

Poor guy

[@randjlewis]

Great documentary! These students did a class job! Well done! Luke should be so proud that these 4 students chose to do their senior project about him, especially since they were just young kids when they saw him play at BYU. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this documentary!

[@snap2tackle976]

Amazing athlete. An absolute beast on the field. 2001 was special because of him.

[@NelsonSam]

Thank you Luke! I remember looking forward to my Saturdays so I could watch this man dominate. One in a million. Great video. Well done.

[@Twister051]

This guy is amazing. So much talent and such a heartbreak the way it ended. However...he speaks the truth when he says it's not WHAT happens to us that matters as much as HOW we handle it. Easy to say, tough to do. Good luck to all of us...

[@TRaider66]

Every football player should watch this.

[@cameronjaccard8763]

Great stuff, Riley, Cody, Justin and Skyler. BYU loves ya, Luke.

[@jeffbbellfarms1]

Luke was more than just a hero but a person every young man could look to as an example to follow.

[@macdameron9321]

Thanks Luke. And thanks to the team that out this together.

[@dragonkingsports]

Really well done documentary.. Has a 30 for 30 type feel to it.

[@joecook5689]

"Luke, use the force, luke. It only works for people called luke, luke." -snl

[@lowlightman9039]

The most entertaining football player I have ever seen play at BYU, and Ty Detmer is #2. He IS THE BEST RB TO EVER PLAY AT BYU!

[@RastasNevaDie]

One of my favorite running backs ever probably most gifted BYU back ever

[@joecook5689]

By far best byu running back ever.

[@briantrujillo81]

1994 I was in 6th grade and Luke was in 8th, we both went to Hazelbrook middle school and both played for The Tualatin Panthers. My best memory I’ll never forget was where we practiced at Tualatin park under the lights my team scrimmaged yours. 6th grade against 8th grade. If you ever read this Luke you’ll always be a legend. (Brian Gregg #81 1994 Tualatin Panthers Champions)🔥🔥

[@joeybee1914]

Lifelong U fan, but I loved Luke Staley, great man.

[@BIGDWH]

He was s great back. Loved watching him play that season.

[@richardsalzer8247]

Outstanding college RB

[@reese924]

What a beast.

[@josephdstorer7109]

There has never been an equal at BYU as a running back. Thanks for the memories!

[@rambomoore381]

Staley... as a Cougar fan he made me proud. He gave his body for the team. I'm sorry for the bad luck but so grateful to have had the chance to cheer for arguably the best BYU athlete of all time. Thank you Luke!

[@phantom20071]

Great story! Best wishes for happiness and long life.

[@ericwalters3426]

I grew up a few years behind him in the portland area, and remember fallowing him and all the hype surrounding him in high school. Cool story

[@kodycurtis]

Amazing player and great guy. Unfortunate the way he felt about the medical staff because I know for certain they cared more about him and his health than he will ever admit. My father was the primary person caring for his health at BYU. Luke forgot to mention the fact that he ignored the medical advice given to him before the Mississippi state game and then removed the protective gear he was supposed to wear during the game. I remember it vividly. I hope he finds the peace he will get by accepting responsibility. Really wish all the best for him always!

[@TheAuthenticCritic]

My son attended Tualatin High School and on Friday nights our family would watch Luke destroy the competition. It was a special time watch him play; I knew he was going places and had him autograph my program (I still have it). We watched BYU o TV when available to see him play. I'm in my 60s riddled with pain from a car crash and can relate to Luke's life enduring chronic pain. Checkout this link which depicts his life after football: www.deseretnews.com/article/865653262/Former-BYU-running-back-Luke-Staley-paying-a-painful-price-for-gridiron-glory.html?pg=all Thank you Luke for the thrill of watching you play. Seeing Luke wear a University of Oregon t-shirt was cool - Go Ducks!

[@JakeRichardsong]

Video is well-made. Doesn't resort to flashy gimmicks and tells a story coherently.

[@dockterchina]

Thank you Luke!

[@godsoujah2860]

Stayley was a monster beast best white rb ever in college history

[@M901Legend]

Great Doc.

[@hikingfool99]

Thanks Luke, Wish you could have signed a big contract in the NFL. God Bless you and your family.

[@Liz-yw1jt]

Got to watch. Those injuries.😮

[@samuelbrown917]

Fun man to listen to.

[@carynwhitfield2956]

I’m From Hawaii, & watched every game Staley played that year, was sad when went to the Hawaii game & Staley wasn’t playing, I’m sure the game would’ve played out differently. Luke Staley 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Gamebox27]

8 yards a carry. That's insane

[@MrXmasp]

My relative. So I'm partial of how I feel . Still think he i awesome. Loved watching Staley Cruz over cal . More than half the crowd was byu fans. Cool experience watching this guy.

[@QuentinDude]

They had a really good team the year they went 12-2. They seemed deflated after learning that a BCS game wasn't interested in them when they w'e're 12-0 and injuries hurt them as well at the end.

[@dragonkingsports]

So I noticed this was uploaded for a senior project and it looks like around 4 years ago. I just want to say if the people who put together this video don’t have high paying jobs in film, something is seriously wrong. This is ESPN level good. And I’m guessing without even close to the same budget.

[@mrknuckles5269]

Over 8 yards per carry! That truly is insane.

[@robertbethke4949]

Really enjoyed this documentary. Clearly the impressive athletic ability of Luke Staley was his legacy, the main message here is about properly assessing an injury and allowing the injury to fully heal prior to going back into battle. Taking a long run approach to the healing process is always the best long run answer, something not typically considered in today's instant gratification world. While I realize this documentary was a team effort, I am personally very proud of Skyler Street for producing this very professional work of art. His commitment to his craft is exciting for me to witness and I am looking forward to experiencing many great productions from him in the future.

[@jermaineswain3903]

I remember watching this guy... He definitely ran hard.

[@Gamebox27]

I remember when he was 26

[@ritzbitz1905]

Should’ve stayed for his senior year! I think he would have played in the NFL…but man he was an amazing player!

[@gabepost2855]

His legs 😮😮😮😮

[@michaeltaylors2456]

His performance against MSU was so physical . BYU was trying to kill clock on their last drive and everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball but he still got positive yards on every carry ... he was way more than 1/2 of their offense. I was thinking can Doman go play action ? Nope , you could see it coming

[@Gamebox27]

Luke and the Domanator

[@jeahhh]

I'm no byu fan...but God himself couldn't make a better football player than Luke Staley

[@gdog3finally]

God himself made everything.

[@garyrichardbastian8937]

@@gdog3finally Luke too

[@PattyBandAidz]

1:06 The difference in jersey colors between Staley and the rest of his teammates tells a story in and of itself

[@tubytootoo]

Cool. He was RB when I was there. He ran like a total hoss.

[@trovechsound7fu58]

I remember hearing him watching espn as a 10 year old. I thought he was related to duce, the then-eagle.

[@garyrichardbastian8937]

Great comment.....🥱 🙄 😴🤡.

[@joecook5689]

I loved Staley. Maybe with his 18 broken bones, his bones were light like a bird's bones are.

[@shihyuchu6753]

KENT NANCE from Madera California

[@harolddenton6031]

I feel his pain. I still can hear the sound in my head of my right knee meniscus popping loudly in December of 211.

[@roccotaco87]

No

[@MyWifesSon69]

when he was young he looked like a GI JOE toy soldier

[@Gamebox27]

Lavell was my mom's bishop

[@isaacnelson5012]

Luke Staley was just incredible to watch, such amazing combo of speed and strength. But just didn't have an NFL body as far as standing up to punishment of 25 carries a game. He was always kind of banged up, even playing against WAC teams. He's sort of a Taysom Hill kind of story.

[@johnroberts8493]

Nice video guys. I've wondered a few times what happened to Luke after football. Even as a Ute fan, I have to admit that the guy was an amazing athlete. It's sad that his career went the way it did. Doug Robinson posted an article today that's an interesting contrast to your piece. Any thoughts on it? www.deseretnews.com/article/865653262/Former-BYU-running-back-Luke-Staley-paying-a-painful-price-for-gridiron-glory.html

[@MegaStreet11]

I think it's a great in-depth piece about how serious his injuries are and shows how much pain he is in. I think both compliment each other to really tell his story.

[@CodyMeredith]

+John Roberts The Des News article covered a lot of the medical things we chose not to cover. I think the two stories together give a very clear picture into Luke's life now. One of the most memorable moments during our interview was asking whether or not Luke would do it all over again. If he had the chance today, he said he isn't sure. From our conversations, I don't think he would.

[@bejaclarke]

First year coach, star player with history of injuries who has a break out, byu starts 12-0, hmm maybe lightning strikes twice in 2016. Maybe it's just me and my blue goggles

[@byuvids4308]

Taysom is Luke Staley version 2.

[@tahlequahstandingbear1722]

byuvids then why you keep loosing to the big U

[@mossiahcreatordesigner.5366]

7:42 Reggie Bush numbers? Not..For..Long.

[@Gamebox27]

Staley, McMahin, Young, Wilson. BYU

[@garyrichardbastian8937]

You mean Jim McMahon? Never heard of McMalin. And you left out Bosco. He was quarterback when they won the national championship in 1984, so kind of famous and relevant. You left out Ty Detmer too. Heisman? Oh, what's the use? Kyle Vanoy?

[@spencerj6557]

Fred Warner too

[@tysonhigham306]

Did I see that his older son was wearing a Utah jersey? What the heck!?

[@shareenallred5838]

+Tyson Higham His mom was a Utah cheerleader

[@godawgs1344]

You gotta raise em right Luke, make him a coug.

[@garyrichardbastian8937]

@@shareenallred5838 What??? Who??? Spell Check much? Ever? And also, So what? Relevance?

[@travelloq3627]

You do not need football to be happy. THERE IS WAY MORE IN LIFE.

[@Gamebox27]

Luke and Zach on the same team? Watch out

[@utahhoopsfreak8648]

The man sacrificed his body for his sport.

[@spencerj6557]

And he’s still paying for it. 23 separate surgeries and daily chronic pain. He was asked if he knew where is body would be now, if he would still do it all over again he said he wasn’t sure.

[@mcrock4960]

I was on the BYU sidelines during one of their games. I was working with ESPN, and I remember Luke being such a glory hog. He already had like four or five touchdowns and BYU was up by a very large margin and Luke had just scored. BYU defense forced another turnover and I remember the backup running back begging Luke for a chance to play. Without skipping a beat Luke told him, "No." I wonder if Luke's desire for more glory and attention is what resulted in him not getting the rest his injuries needed.

[@joecook5689]

Not since taysom, have we had a runner as good as Staley. Wait, did I say that right?

[@mad85123]

Taysom Hill = Luke Staley Known for prowess and dominance, but hindered with injury. #LegendsoftheY

[@tahlequahstandingbear1722]

Mitchell Dela Cruz hell no

[@tek6423]

But Tay has pulled it off at the NFL level. I NEVER thought he would play in the NFL after all his injuries.

[@dragonkingsports]

I feel bad for the guy. The whole time he just laments on how he wished he coulda been more. Damn. Lowkey depressing.

[@4nakinSkywalker]

26 minutes and they didn’t mention Reno Mahe once. Think about that……😶

[@arondavies6267]

No 0 i don't think I'll have

[@annedgington]

This is who I am named after

[@joecook5689]

Which name, ann?

[@annedgington]

I am using my moms youtube

[@jamessuel4985]

BYU? They call it the “Why” um,… I mean the “Y” - ironic isn’t it that it’s called the Why?

[@milanphillips9794]

i hated the uniforms then

[@godawgs1344]

Didn't we all?

[@noremak40]

Staley was a good player. I love that Luke's kids are wearing Utah football jerseys. They know a winner when they see it.

[@shareenallred5838]

+Kameron Thorne Their mom was a Utah cheerleader.

[@ChrisZ17]

Kind of like taysom hill

[@Colin-Fenix]

Could have done without seeing and hearing Dick Harmon.

[@nunya7319]

Had a great college career. Would have ended in Detroit anyways. They were And still are a horrible football team.

[@sofiarichman21]

well done, gosh those were ugly uniforms back then, go COUGS!

[@briandm33]

You know in my years of watching BYU football there were decent players and non good players that were given the chance to play football. Who in Utah Sports can actually say their team played at the #1 team's place and won??? Maybe in womens sports volleyball and Soccer??? It's been soo many years since BYU's sports program was truely on the map and it's just that when your schedule doesn't have good teams in it it suffers in it's program. Women and Mens volleyball teams have been the only decent program thats done anything consistent over the years against the better teams. If you want my opinion about the biggest story thats ever happend in the state of Utah the athlete didn't get to play Football at all bc he was hurt in a truck accident. Yeah. You know who I'm talking about. Tyler Wilkinson. His story never dies and still affects people greatly till this day. He was a better athlete than Steve Young or Ty Detmer combined. He is still the best athlete to come out of the state of Utah even though he didn't go to college or the Pro's he is still Utah's best athlete of all time. There will never be another athlete like him.

[@hanraddas9308]

Video gets two thumbs up. The Gospel is found in 1 Cor 15:1-4, and was not restored by Joseph Smith.

[@lastcall8286]

He was blessed with athletic ability but not durability.

[@UniteAgainstEvil]

he's gonna get himself a ton of wives

[@edalbanese6310]

hahah..."it's your body", it's your responsibility....fast forward to 2021....it's not your body and I will tell you what to do with your body!

[@OGSmush32]

Cool story Mormons.

[@garyrichardbastian8937]

Mormons?......tryn ta be funny or anti or what? It's obviously not a religious story ya j##-###