Colorado denounced anti-Latter-day Saints chant directed at BYU football. But is it enough?

PROVO — It took about 24 hours from the end of the game, but University of Colorado administrators condemned the use of expletives and religious slurs from the members of the Buffaloes' fan base during the team's 24-21 loss Saturday night to then-No. 25 BYU.

At several points during the game, the derogatory chant could be heard among the 52,226 fans at Folsom Field, with alternating messages of "(expletive) BYU" and "(expletive) the Mormons."

At least one rendition of the chant was picked up by ESPN microphones, while others were only heard in the stadium. Initially, a small group of fans located near the band tried to start the chant in the first quarter, when Kaidon Salter led the Buffaloes to lead by as much as 14-0.

The first chant was stifled quickly, and didn't spread. But as the game continued (and frustrations likely rose), repeated chants followed — at least six times, according to several witnesses in attendance.

The derogatory insults were sometimes directed at the team, and other times against the school's sponsoring institution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"The University of Colorado Boulder strongly condemns the use of expletives and religious slurs by individuals in the stands during the recent football game against BYU. Such behavior is deeply disappointing and does not reflect the values of respect, inclusion and integrity we expect of our campus community," the school said in a statement attributed to CU chancellor Justin Schwartz and athletic director Rick George Sunday night.

"Attending sporting events at CU Boulder is a privilege, and with that comes the responsibility to uphold our fan code of conduct. The university and CU athletics have a strict policy when it comes to abusive behavior, and those found to have engaged in conduct that is not consistent with our values are held accountable."

The university added it is "committed to fostering an environment where all individuals — students, staff, faculty, alumni, opposing fans and other visitors — feel welcome and safe."

"Discriminatory language and hostile conduct have no place at our athletic events or anywhere on our campus," the statement continued. "We thank the majority of our fans who continue to support our teams with enthusiasm and respect. Together, we can ensure that CU Boulder events remain a source of pride and unity for our community and that visitors to our campus have a positive experience."

BYU responded to the statement Monday morning, saying: "We denounce all forms of religious discrimination and appreciate (the University of Colorado Boulder)'s example in rooting out these inappropriate actions.

"We invite all to showcase their fandom with enthusiasm and respect," the statement added.

The use of the chant has been common during BYU's road travels, though the irony was not lost as the No. 23 Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) were led by a true freshman quarterback from California who grew up in the Catholic faith.

It's been heard as close to the Cougars' home campus as Utah, USC, Oregon and Stanford in football, and Providence and Arizona in men's basketball.

So how was this one different? Shocking national events the following morning made Colorado's sporting-based rage toward church members ring even more hollow, when a 40-year-old shooter opened what police described as "targeted violence" at a church meetinghouse in Grand Blanc, Michigan, leaving at least four dead, eight wounded, and the meetinghouse deemed a total loss due to a concurrent fire.

Authorities have not revealed a motive for the Sunday morning attack. The shooter, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford of nearby Burton, Michigan, was killed in the parking lot after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement officers who responded quickly to the scene, per Grand Blanc police chief William Renye.

Of course, chanting obscenities at a college football game isn't anything remotely similar to the actions of an individual who committed homicide at a religious worship center the next morning, and there is currently no evidence that the two incidents are related. But the use of anti-Latter-day Saint language at one event and the targeted attack at a church meetinghouse should be noted.

Sports is a slice of the modern version of society, and American society is in the throes of what Utah Gov. Spencer Cox calls a moment where "the future of our country is at stake," he told CBS' 60 Minutes during an interview that aired Sunday night.

"I'm desperately looking for more architects and fewer arsonists," Cox said. "It's so easy to burn down and tear down, and we've got too much of that today."

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