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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s a question many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often posed when relating to sports fandom: Are you a fan of Brigham Young University?
In fact, there’s a not-so-talked-about (sarcasm font included) rivalry between in-state schools about whether being a member of the LDS Church naturally lends its support to being a fan of BYU athletics? Even full newspaper ads have been taken out in local papers about the topic, in case you’re wondering.
If only there were a prominent LDS athlete (not from Utah) to weigh in on the matters.
Enter Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
Harper is kind of a big deal in the world of Major League Baseball and has had an incredible start to the 2015 season, particularly as one of the youngest stars in the league. Up until Wednesday night, Harper led the league in season home runs at 20 and was is in the top five of RBIs at 47.
Because of his success this year, Harper was invited onto MLB’s “Intentional Talk” with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar. Among questions about his remarkable season, Harper was asked to list a favorite incorrect Mormon stereotype.
Harper’s response: “Oh my gosh, you really put that out there? I mean c’mon; that’s brutal. That everybody likes BYU that’s Mormon. I hate BYU."
But wait, he kinda redeems himself with the BYU fan base? "I could be a fan of them, but I don't like them. There are a lot of Mormons that don’t like BYU.”
That settles it then. Or does it? Now I’m even more confused with this ongoing debate. Looks like we’ll need other celebrities/athletes to weigh in on the matter.
Until then, let’s chalk this up to a summer of building rivalry talk. If only BYU and Utah could settle this on the gridiron or something …
“That’s a clown question, bro.”
Regarding the "chaw" seen in Harper's selfie picture above, Nationals Manager Matt Williams told the Washington Post that Harper uses "herbal stuff" instead of tobacco.
