During a college football matchup between Cincinnati Bearcats and BYU Cougars on Saturday, fans were seen chanting derogatory remarks toward BYU players, including ‘F— the Mormons.’ The incident sparked an apology from Cincinnati’s athletic director, John Cunningham, who denounced the offensive language as unacceptable. Cunningham emphasized the university’s dedication to fostering a respectful atmosphere for all visiting teams. The chant has been a recurring issue, with similar incidents reported at other schools, leading to fines and apologies from athletic programs.
The offensive language directed at BYU players aligns with broader cultural tensions involving religious communities, particularly Latter-day Saints. The University of Cincinnati’s campus pantry, which receives food donations from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen support from the Utah-based institution. This donation occurred just a day before the incident at the game, highlighting the unexpected nature of the fans’ behavior.
Historical context reveals that this is not an isolated incident. In September 2022, an Oregon high school recruit left a game early due to derogatory chants targeting BYU players. More recently, Colorado Buffaloes fans were cited for similar remarks, leading to a $50,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference. Coach Deion Sanders issued an apology before this incident. It remains uncertain whether Cincinnati will face similar repercussions in the wake of the recent event.
The College Football Playoff committee recently placed BYU in the 11th spot in their rankings, underscoring the program’s continued competitiveness in the sport. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining respectful spectator conduct during high-profile games, prompting calls for stronger measures to address such behavior at athletic events.