The University of Oregon has issued a statement condemning ‘offensive and disgraceful’ chants aimed at 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 Sunday expressing their disapproval of the chanting.
‘The University of Oregon sincerely apologizes for an offensive and disgraceful chant coming from the student section during yesterday’s game against Brigham Young University.
‘These types of actions go against everything the university stands for, and it goes against the spirit of competition.
‘We can and will do better as a campus community that has no place for hate, bias or bigotry.’
WARNING – EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
University of Oregon has issued a statement condemning ‘offensive and disgraceful’ chants
College Football game between University of Oregon and Brigham Young University Saturday
The Pit Crew, the University of Oregon’s official student section, released a statement of their own on Saturday night, distancing themselves from the actions within their section.
‘To all @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 any hateful speech directed towards one’s religion and are ashamed of those who participated.’
There has been no update as to whether punishments have been handed out or whether particular students have been identified.
Brigham Young entered the field honoring fallen Oregon tight end Spencer Webb, who passed away in July following a fall from a rockface at a popular swimming lake near Eugene, Oregon
Although Kris Winter, the University of Oregon’s interim Vice President for the Division of Student Life, said in a statement that the school would be investigating.
‘The University apologizes for the despicable chants made by some University of Oregon fans at today’s football game with Brigham Young University,’ Winter said.
‘There is no place for hate, bias or bigotry at the University of Oregon. These actions are simply unacceptable.
‘We will investigate, and we call on our students and campus community to refuse to accept or tolerate this type of behavior.’
Brigham Young is a school of Mormon faith based in Provo, UT where its players must abide by an Honor Code; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.
Utah’s Gov. Spencer Cox was seemingly disgusted by the ugly scenes inside Autzen Stadium
Utah Gov., Spencer Cox, reacted strongly to the disrespectful chanting, writing on Twitter, Sunday: ‘Religious bigotry alive and celebrated in Oregon.’
Meanwhile, Oregon Gov. made clear the historically-accepted behavior was no longer reasonable in contemporary society.
‘In Oregon, we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive state to 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 chant at yesterday’s Oregon-BYU game was unacceptable. We must do better.’
BYU and Oregon clashed on the football field Saturday, with the Ducks winning comfortably
BYU showed a touch of class as they entered the field on Saturday before the 41-20 loss.
The Mormon school ran on to the field with Oregon transfer Kingsley Suamataia carrying a flag for fallen former teammate, Spencer Webb.
Brigham Young also placed flowers on the four-yard line as a sign of respect to the tight end who tragically lost his life in July.
Webb died after falling and striking his head on rock slides at a popular swimming lake near Eugene, Oregon.
Brigham Young is a school of Mormon faith based in Provo, UT where its players must abide by an Honor Code; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints
A sheriff’s spokesperson said Webb was climbing a rock prior to his fall.
‘[Webb] was climbing a rock formation or face and slipped,’ Sgt. Tom Speldrich said. ‘He hit his head [and] fell into the water.’
Webb was unresponsive and could not be revived by paramedics or bystanders, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said in statement.
Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb died in July, aged just 22, in a tragic offseason incident
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk