Anti-LDS chants in Cincinnati reflect worse than ever on BYU's opposing fanbase

Every time this happens, it only looks worse for the offending fanbase.

During BYU's recent visit to Nippert Stadium and the home field of the Cincinnati Bearcats, the sponsor religion of Brigham Young University, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was once again placed on the mocking block, as 'F--- the Mormons' rained down on the visitors during the Bearcats' 26-14 loss on Saturday.

This is not the first time this has happened this season, nor is it the first time it's happened in recent memory. This is a pattern of disrespectful behavior stemming from the selective normalization of religious bigotry. Ignorance and hatred that is dyed into the fabric of a nation that has always seen the LDS church as an easy target for mockery and has gotten away with public displays of hideous religious selectivity.

But this week against BYU, the actions of a select number of Cincinnati fans cast a very bad light onto the fanbase, considering the recent actions of the Church in question.

It's been beaten to death why the "F--- the Mormons" chant is both harmful and inconsistent with how the nation would respond to similar jeers against other prominent religions. Everyone has given their two cents about this issue, including myself, and I don't have much more to say about the chant itself.

Related: Colorado apologizes for "F the Mormons" chants during BYU football game in Boulder, "F the Mormons" chants rained down on BYU basketball during their visit to Providence

But to disparage the very people donating to your food pantry in record quantities -- bringing new meaning to the phrase 'biting the hand that feeds you' -- Cincinnati's reputation was tainted by the actions of thoughtless students. The stadium's announcement to cease all anti-religious chanting was a band-aid on a freshly reopened wound, and the damage was done.

Given recent precedent, the University of Cincinnati will almost certainly be receiving a fine from the Big 12 Conference.

The Church itself would never acknowledge this incident, nor defend themselves from events as trivial as cheers at a sporting event, but I will. The Bearcats fanbase should be humiliated at the actions of these fans. This season, the bigotry is finally receiving nearly unanimous pushback from those unaffiliated with the targeted church, and with every subsequent incident, the fact that these incidents are still happening is shocking.

We can only hope that football games can remain safe and welcoming environments for every individual -- outsider or otherwise.