University of Oregon apologizes to BYU athletes and fans
Sep 19, 2022, 8:50 AM | Updated: Sep 20, 2022, 11:01 am
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 17: The line of scrimmage between the Oregon Ducks and the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at Autzen Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Weekend tweets from the University of Oregon and Gov. Spencer Cox addressed a flap between Oregon’s student section and BYU fans.
The tweets stem from a football game between the two schools on Sept. 17. in Oregon. Derogatory chants from Oregon’s student section aimed at the BYU team were caught on video. Oregon students were heard chanting, “[expletive] the Mormons.”
The scene prompted this response from Gov. Cox.
Religious bigotry alive and celebrated in Oregon. https://t.co/l8BdsSJWu2
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 18, 2022
In a tweet on Sunday, the University of Oregon made it clear that the actions of the students who were caught on video tape did not represent the school.
The statement went on to say, “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.”
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. 1/2
— University of Oregon (@uoregon) September 18, 2022
In a subsequent tweet, Gov. Cox seemed to accept the apology with a heart and a fist bump emoji.
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 18, 2022
In another tweet, the Oregon pit crew, the official Oregon student section account apologized for the chants.
To all @BYUfootball fans in attendance at todays 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.
— Oregon Pit Crew (@OregonPitCrew) September 18, 2022
The twitter responses from cougar nation were mixed, with some understanding the chants came from a small handful of students and were not representative of the entire school.
Related: Police report shows authorities can’t prove BYU fan used a racial slur
