The Big 12 is dealing harsh consequences for 'F*** the Mormons' chants

BYU athletics have a unique problem. Due to the school's connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their institution and fanbase have been the target of discriminatory and derogatory chants intended to demean and belittle the Cougars for their predominant religion.

It's not an isolated incident. Not a rogue student poorly representing his or her peers. For years, the "Mormons" have been the target of religious bigotry at opposing stadiums.

Last weekend, in a football game on the campus of the University of Central Florida, the Cougars heard the chants again.

"F*** the Mormons! F*** the Mormons!"

It happened in Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, and dissuaded a high-profile LDS recruit from signing with the Ducks.

Jeers rained down from the bleachers in the Coliseum of USC, ignorant of the fact that the Trojans' starting quarterback, Jaxon Dart, was a native of Davis County, Utah, and a member of the very religion the fans were demeaning.

It's happened in basketball gyms, a trip to Providence in 2024 being one of the most blatant demonstrations.

And even while visiting other members of the Big 12 Conference -- BYU's peers and neighbors -- derogatory cheers were directed at the visiting team, their fans, and the university all on the basis of religion.

And the Big 12 Conference has been very aware of the pattern. Texas Tech basketball's head coach, Grant McCasland, pleaded with the student section before a home matchup with BYU to abstain from hateful cheers.

Colorado was issued a fine after chants turned nasty in last year's game against the Cougars.

UCF took commendable action against fans who chanted "F*** the Mormons" in last Saturday's game against BYU, removing many offenders from the stadium.

Still, the hateful and prejudiced actions from those students and fans ensured their university would be slapped with a $100,000 fine and pushed the conference to take further action, establishing a conference-wide policy against discrimination.

The first instance will result in an automatic fine of $100,000 -- minimum.

The second offence will negatively impact the team, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an additional $500,000 fine. Furthermore, those ejected for discriminatory conduct will be banned from attending any athletic events for the remainder of the academic year.

Finally, the league is taking action that will actively dissuade fans from spouting hate and bigotry in a public, family-friendly setting.

It's always been socially acceptable to mock the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Frequently dismissed as a radical offshoot of the protestant revolution taking place during the time of the church's establishment.

Hate and bigotry from the church's early years bleed into today's culture. Discrimination against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is common practice in the USA in ways that discrimination against other marginalized groups is disavowed.

Jake Retzlaff, a person of Jewish faith and former BYU quarterback, noted the hypocrisy and idealogical inconsistencies of publicly mocking the "Mormons".

“The blatant disrespect for their faith -- it’s something to think about. What if there was a Jewish university that had a Jewish football team, and they were saying that in the stands?” Retzlaff posed. “Like, imagine if that hit the papers. That would be a big deal.”

“There’s a lot of people who just don’t like Mormon people, for no reason,” the quarterback continued. “That’s what happened to the Jews all throughout history.”

Hopefully the new policy installed by the Big 12 Conference accomplishes its goal: keeping sporting events safe, fun, and welcoming to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

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