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The University of Oregon released a statement condemning “offensive and outrageous” chants 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 its disapproval of the chant.
“The University of Oregon offers its sincere apologies for the insulting and outrageous singing of the student body during yesterday’s game against Brigham Young University.
‘Actions like this go against everything the university stands for and against the spirit of competition.
“We can and will do better as a campus community where there is no place for hatred, prejudice or bigotry.”
WARNING – EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
University of Oregon issues statement condemning ‘offensive and outrageous’ chants
College Football game between University of Oregon and Brigham Young University Saturday
The Pit Crew, the official student body of the University of Oregon, released a statement of its own on Saturday night, distancing itself from actions within their department.
“To all @BYUfootball fans who attended today’s game, we would like to apologize for the actions of the students in attendance.
“We do not endorse or support hate speech directed at anyone’s religion and are ashamed of those who have participated in it.”
There has been no update on whether penalties have been handed out or whether particular students have been identified.
Brigham Young took the field in honor of fallen Oregon tight end Spencer Webb, who died in July after falling from a cliff 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 the school would investigate.
“The university apologizes for the despicable chanting of some University of Oregon fans during today’s football game with Brigham Young University,” Winter said.
“There is no place for hatred, bias or bigotry at the University of Oregon. These actions are simply unacceptable.
“We’re going to investigate and call on our students and campus community to refuse or tolerate this kind of behavior.”
Brigham Young is a Mormon school in Provo, UT, where players must adhere to a code of honor; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ or Later Day Saints.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox was apparently disgusted by the ugly scenes at Autzen Stadium
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reacted strongly to the disrespectful chant, writing on Twitter on Sunday: “Religious bigotry is alive and celebrated in Oregon.”
Meanwhile, the Oregon government made it clear that the historically accepted behavior was no longer reasonable in contemporary society.
“In Oregon, we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive state for everyone 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 during yesterday’s Oregon-BYU game was unacceptable. We have to do better.’
BYU and Oregon clashed on the soccer field on Saturday, with the Ducks winning comfortably
BYU showed a touch of class as they took to the field on Saturday for the 41-20 loss.
The Mormon school ran onto the field with Oregon transfer Kingsley Suamataia carrying a flag for fallen former teammate, Spencer Webb.
Brigham Young also placed flowers on the four-meter line as a mark of respect for the tight end who died tragically in July.
Webb died after falling and hitting his head on rock slides at a popular swimming lake near Eugene, Oregon.
Brigham Young is a Mormon school in Provo, UT, where players must adhere to a code of honor; even if they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ or Later Day Saints
A sheriff’s spokesman said Webb was climbing a rock prior to his fall.
‘[Webb] climbed a rock formation or face and slipped,’ Sgt. said Tom Speldrich. ‘He bumped his head’ [and] fell into the water.’
Webb did not respond 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, aged just 22, in a tragic off-season incident