The University of Oregon has issued a statement condemning “offensive and shameful” chanting against Brigham Young University during a college football game between the two schools on Saturday.
Footage emerged of a group of fans chanting “F*** the Mormons” as Oregon defeated BYU at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR.
Oregon released a statement on Twitter on Sunday expressing their disapproval of the chant.
“The University of Oregon sincerely apologizes for an offensive and shameful chant emanating from the student department during yesterday’s game against Brigham Young University.
“These kinds of actions go against everything the university stands for and against the spirit of competition.
“We can and will do better as a campus community that has no place for hate, bias, or bigotry.”
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The University of Oregon has issued a statement condemning “offensive and shameful” chants
College football game between the University of Oregon and Brigham Young University Saturday
The Pit Crew, the University of Oregon’s official student department, released a statement of its own Saturday night, distancing itself from the actions at their department.
“To all of the @BYUfootball fans in attendance at today’s game, we would like to apologize for the actions of the students in attendance.
“We do not condone or support hate speech against one’s own religion and we are ashamed of those who participated.”
It has not been updated on whether penalties have been imposed or whether specific students have been identified.
Brigham Young took the field in honor of fallen Oregon tight end Spencer Webb, who died in July after falling off a rock face at a popular swimming lake near Eugene, Oregon
Although Kris Winter, the University of Oregon’s interim vice president for the department of student life, said in a statement that the school would be investigating.
“The university apologizes for the obnoxious chanting by some University of Oregon fans at today’s soccer game against Brigham Young University,” Winter said.
“There is no place for hate, prejudice, or bigotry at the University of Oregon. These actions are simply unacceptable.
“We will investigate and urge our students and the campus community to refuse to accept or tolerate this type of behavior.”
Brigham Young is a Mormon faith school based in Provo, UT, where its players are required to abide by a code of honor; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was apparently disgusted by the ugly scenes at Autzen Stadium
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reacted strongly to the disrespectful chants, writing on Twitter Sunday: “Religious bigotry lives and is celebrated in Oregon.”
Meanwhile, Oregon’s governor made it clear that historically accepted behavior was no longer reasonable in today’s society.
“In Oregon, we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive state for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or background,” she said in a statement.
“Our state and nation have an ugly history of discrimination and bigotry. The singing at yesterday’s Oregon-BYU game was unacceptable. We have to do better.’
BYU and Oregon met on the football field Saturday, with the Ducks easily winning
BYU showed an air of class as they took the field ahead of the 41-20 loss on Saturday.
The Mormon school ran onto the field with Oregon’s Kingsley Suamataia carrying a flag for fallen former teammate Spencer Webb.
Brigham Young also placed flowers at the four-yard line as a token of respect for the close end, who tragically lost his life in July.
Webb died after falling and hitting his head on rockfalls at a popular swimming lake near Eugene, Oregon.
Brigham Young is a Mormon faith school based in Provo, UT, where its players are required to abide by a code of honor; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints
A sheriff’s spokesman said Webb climbed a rock before his fall.
‘[Webb] climbed a rock formation or wall and slipped,” said Sgt. Tom Speldrich. “He hit his head [and] fell into the water.’
Webb was unresponsive and could not be resuscitated by paramedics or bystanders, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb died in July at the age of just 22 in a tragic offseason incident