Welcome back, Ronney: former BYU running back a welcome alumni return


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PROVO — When I think about who the most dynamic running back in BYU history was, two names come immediately to mind: Luke Staley and Ronney Jenkins.

The two have a lot in common. Both showed incredible promise in their rookie seasons as Jenkins was named the 1996 WAC Freshman of the Year and Staley led the team in touchdowns with 13 in 1999. Both were freakish in their own way with Staley having an unbelievable combination of strength and speed and Jenkins being lightning quick, once running an unofficial 4.19-second 40. Lastly, and most unfortunately, they also had shortened careers that led to major falling outs for each with the university.

Staley's career at the Y. was stunted by a litany of injuries. After his playing days were over and he was dealing with numerous physical limitations, he blamed BYU team doctors for much of the damage done to his body and claimed they had put the team's success over his health. His bitterness towards the school was relatively private, however.

Jenkins, on the other hand, very much went public with his anger towards the school. He had been suspended for all of the 1997 season and then missed the Liberty Bowl following the ’98 campaign, both for undisclosed Honor Code violations. After leaving BYU, Jenkins appeared on HBOs "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" and was highly critical of the Honor Code in general and how African-Americans' violations in particular were handled by the school. After that, not much else was heard of him around Provo.

Tim McTyer and Ronney Jenkins, both from the 1996 Cotton Bowl champion football team, answer questions during BYU Media Day at BYU Broadcasting in Provo on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
Tim McTyer and Ronney Jenkins, both from the 1996 Cotton Bowl champion football team, answer questions during BYU Media Day at BYU Broadcasting in Provo on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

That all changed during BYU media day in July. The soft-spoken former star sat in on a round table discussion on BYUtv's 1996 20-year anniversary show. He looked comfortable laughing and talking with former teammates. Later, he appeared on BYU Sports Nation and on multiple occasions praised the school and referred to the current program as "we."

Had you not known his history, you would have thought he had been a diehard Cougar fan his whole life.

Most significantly, however, is the discussion he had on local radio station 1280 The Zone with former BYU lineman Hans Olsen. Jenkins had several opportunities to bad-mouth the school and say how poorly he had been treated. But each time, Jenkins said that he was responsible for his own actions. It was a far cry from the interview with Gumbel, where Jenkins didn't even mention signing the Honor Code.

They say that time heals all wounds. That may be true. But I think a major catalyst for this wound being healed is BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. He has gone out of his way to embrace all former players who have donned a Cougar jersey. If he did have a hand in this, it can be a major victory for Cougar Nation, and hopefully Jenkins can add to and gain from the program. Whatever helped reconcile him with BYU, I'm very appreciative of it.

Welcome back, Ronney, it's been too long.


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About the Author: Dylan Cannon ------------------------------

Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11.

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