Footage of fans at a football game shouting an anti-Mormon chant went viral on social media.
The incident took place during a game on Saturday between the University of Oregon and Brigham Young University at Autzen Stadium.
The fans could be heard chanting, “F*ck the Mormons.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) reacted to the video, saying, “Religious bigotry alive and celebrated in Oregon.”
Religious bigotry alive and celebrated in Oregon. https://t.co/l8BdsSJWu2
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) September 18, 2022
The moment sparked reactions from others.
“Come kids……is this what we’ve become?” one user tweeted.
Come kids……is this what we've become? https://t.co/GGu2hwzL2D
— Sean Berry (@seleberry) September 18, 2022
Another wrote, “Switch ‘Mormon’ to almost any other religion, skin color, sex, etc and this would be big news. Classy [Oregon Football].”
Switch “Mormon” to almost any other religion, skin color, sex, etc and this would be big news. Classy @oregonfootball https://t.co/0Y2m10ekp0
— Ryan Bevans (@Ryan_Bevans) September 18, 2022
Check out more reactions below:
Religious bigotry is alive and well. https://t.co/bPxb9hx7FK
— jimmybritt (@jimmybritt) September 18, 2022
This religious bigotry is absolutely shameful from @uoregon and @oregonfootball . Clearly they aren’t teaching tolerance in Eugene. Deserveing of ignominy. https://t.co/LHubtUq1mw
— The Real Est (@theRealEst919) September 18, 2022
This is gross @OregonPitCrew DO BETTER. As an alum this is embarrassing @uoregon https://t.co/knhyIKCv7R
— Marcus Giese (@DamnitDwight) September 18, 2022
@dawnstaley @WhitlockJason @CNN @espn will y’all be speaking out against this actual display of bigotry or does it not fit your social justice narrative? https://t.co/vomEVVfUsJ
— James Peavy (@JamesPeavy20) September 18, 2022
Oregon. All class as always. https://t.co/7moXrXnKIP
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) September 18, 2022
The University of Oregon later issued a statement apologizing for the incident.
“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,” the statement reads.
It continues, “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.”
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. 2/2
— University of Oregon (@uoregon) September 18, 2022
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown shared the university’s statement.
She added, “In Oregon, we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive state to all, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background. Our state and nation have an ugly history of discrimination and bigotry. The chant at yesterday’s Oregon-BYU game was unacceptable. We must do better.”
In Oregon, we strive to be a welcoming, inclusive state to all, regardless of race, religion, gender, or background. Our state and nation have an ugly history of discrimination and bigotry. The chant at yesterday's Oregon-BYU game was unacceptable. We must do better. https://t.co/q8aDJ6IMmg
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) September 18, 2022
Oregon went on to defeat BYU 41 to 20.