sports
January 16, 2026
A rise in religious persecution in college sports calls for NCAA action
Brigham Young University is a prestigious university with a sports program revered by many. But it is under attack, as several derogatory chants broke out again this year. These disgusting shouts specifically targeted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Year after year, these chants take place, and yet very few repercussions have taken place.
TL;DR
- Derogatory chants targeting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have repeatedly occurred at Brigham Young University (BYU) sporting events.
- Incidents have been reported at the University of Cincinnati, University of Arizona, University of Southern California, University of Oregon, Providence College, and University of Colorado.
- These chants have occurred during both football and basketball games, often following close matchups.
- While apologies have been issued by the implicated universities, the trend of such chants continues year after year.
- The University of Colorado was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 Conference for fan chants.
- BYU's former quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who is Jewish, has spoken out against the normalization of such behavior.
- There is a call for the NCAA to take action and set a precedent against these discriminatory acts, as their lack of condemnation is concerning.
- The article questions why targeting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is perceived as acceptable when discrimination against other religions or communities is not.
- The persistence of these chants is viewed as a pattern of disrespect and discrimination that ruins sporting events for BYU fans.
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