The Big 12 league office is getting involved in the anti-LDS chants that took place in Boulder on Saturday.
The league is fining Colorado $50,000 for the “F--- the Mormons” chants that were shouted by some members of the Colorado student section when BYU beat the Buffs.
“In accordance with the Big 12 Conference principles and standards of sportsmanship, the conference has issued the University of Colorado a public reprimand and $50,000 fine for the inappropriate chants that occurred during Saturday’s football game against BYU,” the league said in a statement.
This is the first time the league has stepped in with penalties for the chants that have happened before during BYU road games. When the same chants occurred after BYU played Arizona in basketball last year, the league issued a statement but no fine.
“Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference. While we appreciate Colorado apologizing for the chants that occurred in the stands during Saturday’s game, the Big 12 maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement.
The same chant broke out when BYU played at Providence last year and at USC several years ago.
BYU is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders issued his own apology and gave his thoughts on the chants.
Colorado Athletics Director Rick George “might not want me to mention this. But I know there was an incident at the conclusion of the game. On behalf of the athletic department, on behalf of CU, we would like to apologize to our opponent last week,” Sanders said.
“That’s not indicative of who we are. Our fans, our student body, are phenomenal. Don’t indict us just based on a group of young kids,” he continued. “They were probably intoxicated and high simultaneously. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that as well. But truth will set you free. BYU, we love you and appreciate you.”