Full Breakdown
Cincinnati Apologizes for Anti-Mormon Chant During BYU Game
11/25/2025, 3:33:23 PM
Incident Overview
On November 22, 2025, during a football game at Nippert Stadium, the University of Cincinnati's student section directed derogatory chants at the Brigham Young University (BYU) fans, specifically chanting “F the Mormons.” This incident occurred while BYU was securing a 26-14 victory over Cincinnati, and it was captured on video, which subsequently circulated on social media. The offensive language prompted immediate responses from the university's administration.
Official Apology
Cincinnati's Athletic Director, John Cunningham, issued a formal apology to BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 24, 2025. In his statement, Cunningham emphasized that the use of offensive language was unacceptable and did not reflect the university's values. He reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining an environment of dignity and respect for all visiting teams and their supporters.
Context of the Incident
This incident is not isolated; BYU fans have faced similar derogatory chants at other venues. Earlier in the 2025 season, the University of Colorado was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 Conference for similar behavior from their student section. Colorado's head coach, Deion Sanders, also apologized, stating that such actions do not represent the character of their student body. Other institutions, including the University of Southern California and the University of Oregon, have previously issued apologies for comparable incidents involving BYU.
Community Contributions
Prior to the game, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a significant contribution to the Cincinnati community by donating over 27,000 pounds of food to the Bearcats Food Pantry, marking the largest single donation in the pantry's history. Additionally, BYU fans participated in a coat drive, donating over 600 coats to the NAACP.
Criticism and Reactions
Critics have pointed out that such chants reflect a troubling trend of intolerance at sporting events. The chants at Cincinnati have drawn attention to the need for universities to address fan behavior more proactively. Some have suggested that the actions of a few intoxicated individuals should not define the entire student body, as noted by Deion Sanders regarding the Colorado incident.
Potential Consequences
The Big 12 Conference has not yet announced any disciplinary actions against Cincinnati following this incident. However, the university's previous experiences with similar chants at other institutions may lead to scrutiny and possible repercussions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On behalf of the University of Cincinnati and Bearcats Athletics, I want to sincerely apologize to the BYU community and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” — John Cunningham, Athletic Director, University of Cincinnati
- “Our student body, our kids, are phenomenal.” — Deion Sanders, Head Coach, University of Colorado
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining respectful environments at sporting events and the importance of addressing derogatory behavior promptly.
