Sports
What began as a high-stakes football game between the University of Colorado and Brigham Young University quickly took a disappointing turn, not because of a final score, but due to the behavior of some Colorado fans.
As tensions on the field ebbed and flowed, portions of the crowd shifted focus from the game to offensive taunts aimed at the religious identity of BYU supporters and athletes, many of whom belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The atmosphere, once filled with game-day excitement, took a darker tone as targeted expletives and discriminatory chants rang out. This was more than poor sportsmanship, it was a public breakdown in community values. The university leadership wasted no time in responding.
University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Athletic Director Rick George released a joint statement condemning the behavior. “The University of Colorado Boulder strongly condemns the use of expletives and religious slurs by individuals in the stands during the recent football game against BYU,” they stated.
“Such behavior is deeply disappointing and does not reflect the values of respect, inclusion, and integrity we expect of our campus community.”
They further emphasized that attending athletic events at CU Boulder is a privilege, not a right-and one that requires attendees to uphold the school’s Fan Code of Conduct. While the statement was swift and strongly worded, it raised a bigger question: will the university back its words with visible action?
Disrespect in the stands vs. Unity in the locker room
The irony of the situation becomes even more pointed when looking at what happened inside the team’s locker room earlier that week. With the Buffs coming off a tough start to the season, Coach Deion Sanders brought in Pastor Cartwright to inspire his players before practice.
The pastor led with a single word: “together.” It was meant to signal unity, resilience, and shared purpose, principles Coach Sanders often leans on through his deep personal faith.
However, that same message of unity was clearly absent in the stands during the BYU game. While it’s true that players and fans are not held to the same standard, fans are often referred to as the “12th man”, an extension of the team.
Their conduct reflects directly on the program, especially when religious beliefs are central to both the team’s identity and its opponent’s.
Coach Sanders has previously faced scrutiny from organizations like the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has challenged his incorporation of religious themes into team culture. Supporters, however, point to longstanding legal precedent that protects expressions of faith in public institutions, especially when participation is voluntary.
Moving forward, the university must ensure that its code of conduct isn’t merely symbolic. Respect must be practiced, not just preached.
This news was originally published on this post .
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