The University of Colorado Boulder faces a $50,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference after fans chanted religious slurs during the recent football game against Brigham Young University. This incident happened at Folsom Field in Boulder on September 28, 2025, when Colorado lost 21-24 to the undefeated BYU Cougars.
Details of the Disturbing Chants
Fans in the student section started with chants like “F the BYU” early in the game. As the match went on, these turned into more direct religious slurs targeting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including repeated uses of “F the Mormons.”
Videos shared on social media captured the offensive language clearly. The chants lasted for much of the game, creating a hostile atmosphere for BYU players and fans. University officials quickly reviewed footage and confirmed the reports from attendees.
This behavior broke the Big 12’s standards on sportsmanship. The conference acted fast to impose penalties, showing zero tolerance for hate in college sports.
University and Coach Responses
CU Boulder leaders acted swiftly to address the issue. Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Athletic Director Rick George released a joint statement on September 29, 2025, calling the chants deeply disappointing and against the school’s values of respect and inclusion.
They stressed that attending games is a privilege and promised to hold those involved accountable under the Fan Code of Conduct. This code bans abusive or discriminatory language at events.
Head coach Deion Sanders, known as Coach Prime, spoke out during a press conference on September 30. He apologized on behalf of the team and university, noting that a small group of intoxicated fans likely caused the problem. Sanders praised BYU and said the Buffs support them fully.
BYU officials responded positively to the apologies. They thanked CU for taking steps to root out the behavior and called for more respect in fandom.
- Key points from CU’s statement:
- Condemnation of expletives and slurs as unacceptable.
- Commitment to a safe environment for all at campus events.
- Promise of accountability for violators.
- Emphasis on unity and pride in the community.
Historical Context of Similar Incidents
This is not the first time BYU has faced such chants on the road. College football has seen repeated cases of religious targeting against the LDS-affiliated school.
In 2022, University of Oregon fans chanted similar slurs during a game, leading to an apology from the school. USC fans did the same in 2021. More recently, in February 2025, Arizona basketball fans used offensive language after a win over BYU, prompting another statement from the university.
These events highlight a pattern in sports rivalries. Experts say it stems from BYU’s unique religious ties, but leagues are cracking down harder now.
| Incident | Date | School Involved | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon vs BYU Football | 2022 | University of Oregon | Public apology issued |
| USC vs BYU Football | 2021 | University of Southern California | Condemnation and review |
| Arizona vs BYU Basketball | February 2025 | University of Arizona | Statement from athletics department |
| CU Boulder vs BYU Football | September 28, 2025 | University of Colorado Boulder | $50,000 fine and reprimand by Big 12 |
Broader Implications for College Sports
The $50,000 fine sets a new precedent for the Big 12. It shows conferences will penalize verbal abuse, not just physical acts like field storming. This could lead to stricter monitoring at games, especially those involving religiously affiliated teams.
Fans and students now face real consequences, which might encourage better behavior. CU plans to educate its community on inclusivity to prevent repeats.
The timing adds gravity, coming just before a tragic shooting at an LDS church in Michigan on September 29, 2025, that killed four people. While unrelated, it underscores the need to combat religious hate.
Deion Sanders’ team is 2-3 this season and heads to TCU next. BYU stays perfect at 4-0 and hosts West Virginia. Both programs aim to move forward with sportsmanship in focus.
This story reminds us that college sports should unite people, not divide them through prejudice. Share your thoughts in the comments below and help spread awareness about respectful fandom. What steps can schools take to stop this in the future?
