Skip to content
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
  • Episodes
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Subscribe
  • Give me access to SECRET EPISODES
PrevPrevious Episode*Questions for Conspiracy Theorists (Jesse James 5 of 5)
Next ExpisodeHot Seat 2: Kurt Francom (4 of 4)Next

Non-LDS BYU Black Athletes (Dr Darron Smith)

Table of Contents: Non-LDS BYU Black Athletes (Dr Darron Smith)

Click to Support
Gospel Tangents

This is a throwback interview from 2017. Dr Darron Smith discusses non-LDS BYU Black athletes. He teaches at University of Memphis and is the author of “When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide.” He examines the honor code, graduation rate, and race relations at BYU. He compares their racial record with other famous Christian athletes, including Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. We’ll also discuss Indian mascots in professional & college sports. Check out our conversation….

YouTube player

Don’t miss our other conversations about black Mormon History: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/black-mormon-history/

transcript to follow

Copyright © 2025

Gospel Tangents

All Rights Reserved

Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

0:00 Overview

6:12 Statistics on Black Athletes at BYU

29:06 Challenges Faced by Black Athletes at BYU

30:59 Honor Code

31:31 Comparisons with Other Institutions

36:43 Graduation Rates/Systemic Issues

38:59 Unionization/Pay for College Athletes

47:09 Racism and Representation in Sports

52:52 Impact of Past Traumas

1:08:49 BYU’s Aspirations/Challenges in Joining the Big 12

1:12:58 Parallels Between Black Athletes and Gay Athletes

1:15:41 Black 14 of Wyoming

1:21:09 Racism and Institutionalized Discrimination

1:22:32 Empathy and Mindfulness in Addressing Racism

 

Copyright © 2025

Gospel Tangents

All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:40:28 — 92.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Love this? Donate or Subscribe

Do you love the friendly, non-bashing interviews about Mormonism here on Gospel Tangents? 
Please show your support for Gospel Tangents by becoming a donor or subscriber:

Make me a Donor
Make me a Subscriber
No related products found.

More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • Darron Smith Interview Now Available!
  • Overcoming "Nice" Racism

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Darron Smith
  • Denomination: Brighamites
  • Black Mormon History, Church History, Racism
  • Tags: Black History Month, Brandon Davies, BYU, non-LDS at BYU, non-members at BYU

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious Episode*Questions for Conspiracy Theorists (Jesse James 5 of 5)
Next ExpisodeHot Seat 2: Kurt Francom (4 of 4)Next
Dr Darron Smith discusses non-LDS Black athletes at BYU.
  • Date: February 23, 2025
  • Guest: Darron Smith
  • Denomination: Brighamites
  • Black Mormon History, Church History, Racism
  • Tags: Black History Month, Brandon Davies, BYU, non-LDS at BYU, non-members at BYU
  • Posted By: RickB

Subscribe

I passed my class! Please help support Gospel Tangents and subscribe to the podcast!

Rick Bennett, Host

Rick Bennett is the friendly host of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. Book Rick for your fireside or conference.

More Interviews

  • Ben Spackman
  • David Ostler
  • Denver Snuffer
  • Lachlan McKay
  • Lindsay Hansen Park
  • Margaret Toscano
  • Richard Bushman
  • Sally Gordon
  • Terryl Givens
  • Ugo Perego...
View all 100+ Interviewees

Proud to be an Amazon Associate

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Subscribe

Go ad-free, get written transcripts, and talk to Rick one-on-one!
Stop Seeing Ads

Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

Contact Rick
Book Rick for your Event
Podcast Episodes
0 +
People Interviewed
0 +
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
  • Subscribe
  • Fan Shop
  • Book Rick
  • Contact Us
Copyright 2025, Gospel Tangents. All Rights Reserved.