Sportsmanship at its worst

Saturday while driving home Mom, Syd and I listened to part of the BYU-U of U game on the radio and felt bad for our family members who were in attendance. Later we learned how badly they were treated by the fans once again at the University of Utah stadium. One of the ironic things is that Courtney is even a grad student there and she is ashamed of the behavior displayed by supposed Ute fans in the name of sports. Jake was there as well and he is a U graduate school alumni member (which he may disavow.) Dave was accosted in the bathroom and was outnumbered 20-1. The obscene language, offensive hand gestures and things that were thrown on them were ridiculous. It was such a contrast from the game we attended last weekend against Air Force. The AF fans were so classy - win or lose - and were on one end of the sportsmanship spectrum. Utah is definitely on the low end of things. Our four family members were all disappointed with the outcome of the game - since the quarterback basically self destructed - but really offended by the classless way many of the Ute fans behaved themselves.

Why is this outrageously bad behavior by some supposed Ute fans tolerated by other Ute fans and the school itself? It seems to have little to do with the game that is being played and sets new lows in poor sportsmanship. Why do "normal" fans turn a blind eye to what they see and hear being spewed on BYU fans who are just minding their business and cheering for their team? It fuels the animosity between the schools. Maybe this is the main objective of the poor sports Ute fans- fuel the hatred. Rick is convinced that the rivalry is open season for unbridled hatred towards BYU and by default, the Church. I can understand his deep dislike of the place. He has had to put up with this display of poor sportsmanship all his days. He and Courtney have a new bond between them since they were both born and raised in SLC and they understand and can empathize with one another over the whole issue. They've taken a lot of mean-spirited ribbing. Is it asking too much to just attend a big rivalry game and cheer on your school of choice without feeling threatened or personally maligned? I acknowledge that BYU fans aren't perfect either. Some are 'holier than thou' and very annoying. They sometimes goad the Utes and fuel the flame. But I haven't ever personally witnessed the kind of animosity and profanity coming from the mouth of a BYU fan at the same level of disrespect and intolerance displayed by a Ute fan. There are levels of difference and the Utes seem to sink deeper each year and dig new lows in decorum.

I never want to attend a game there again. It doesn't sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon.

To go along with this train of thought, check out this thought provoking article. and a quote from a reader:

"The true Church and its people need to focus more on loving God and our neighbor, less on whether our neighbor loves us. Instead of assuring ourselves that "God is on our side," we need to ensure that we are on His. And in the long run everything will work out."

Does this apply to football as well?