Colorado State Apologizes For Fan Chants Targeting BYU

Apology Issued During Game

Colorado State has issued a formal apology to BYU after fans directed derogatory chants at the visiting team on Saturday night. The chants from the stands targeted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The incident took place in Fort Collins, Colorado, where the Rams hosted the Cougars. BYU serves as the flagship school for the church, which is widely known as the Mormon church.

School Condemns Fan Behavior

Colorado State officials did not wait long to address the offensive behavior. The school released a statement late in the fourth quarter of the game to condemn the actions of the crowd.

The university made its stance very clear to the public. "Mocking anyone's faith has no place at CSU," the school statement said.

School officials added that the chants run counter to their community values and to who they are as an institution. They stated that BYU's players, coaches, and fans deserved better. The school also noted that they are addressing the matter directly with their students.

Cougars Secure Win on the Field

On the field, the 11th-ranked Cougars managed to secure a victory. BYU defeated the Rams with a final score of 41-23.

The statement from Colorado State was issued as the game was winding down. While the Cougars celebrated a win on the scoreboard, the focus quickly shifted to the actions of the spectators in the stands.

Past Incidents in Colorado

This is not the first time BYU has faced religious slurs from fans in the state of Colorado. Last season, Colorado was hit with a $50,000 fine for expletives and religious slurs directed at Mormons.

That previous incident occurred when BYU beat Colorado at Folsom Field. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark condemned the chants at the time when the conference announced the financial penalty.