I don't know why I feel the need to make feeble attempts at keeping the peace but there's a lot of taunting, bitterness, and unnecessary negativity following incidents at the game on Saturday. I know few people (if any) read this but I'm going to offer this up anyway... and don't for a second act like you've never blamed the referees for your team losing. Let me be clear.... It's. A. Game.
Max Hall's infamous "I Hate Utah" quote from 4 years ago has been given new life by comments and actions by people from both schools. While I claim to be a Cougar fan, I am not a fanatic, and I will attempt to be as unbiased as possible in my comments.
Let's start with the Max Hall sound byte. That's probably all anybody will remember about him no matter what else may happen in his life. That's kind of sad really, especially since it was four years ago, and he offered an apology. But why stop there? Let's go back even further, and show just how class-less people from both sides can be. I do this in an attempt to bring introspection because people always seem to forget that their sh** stinks too.
These days, during the week leading up to the big game, the Cougar statue outside the stadium is covered with Visquine as a protection from would-be vandals. There are BYU fans who have painted the block U in Salt Lake City blue, and Utah fans who have painted the block Y in Provo red, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage.
BYU:
In 2009 Max Hall offered up his now infamous, "I hate Utah" tirade. The incident sparked a Utah hot-selling t-shirt which simply read, "Max Hall hates me."
UTAH:
If any of you decide to cut the guy a little slack, the incidents that led up to Max's tirade can be found in the same article as his apology, here:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705348033/BYU-football-Max-Hall-apologizes-for-tirade.html
In 1992, Utah officials cleared snow from the field before the game, but not from the stands. The student section hurled snowballs at BYU players before and throughout the game. One snowball struck Cougar center Garry Pay in the face.
In 1993, Utah players and fans attempted to raze BYU's goalposts after the Utes had defeated the Cougars in Provo for the first time in 22 years. Several BYU players strapped their helmets back on and defended their goalposts before order was restored.
M.U.S.S. indeed. (Mighty Unsportsmanlike Student Section)
BYU:
That event fueled one of the most famous quotes (before Max Hall's utterance) in rivalry history.
"All those Utes think that's all there is to life, but when I'm making $50,000 to $60,000 a year, they'll be pumping my gas," said Cougar defensive lineman Lenny Gomes. "They're low-class losers."
UTAH:
Five years later, BYU linebacker Derik Stevenson jumped into the stands after a Cougar win to defend his father against a Utah fan, upset about the loss, who had become violent.
BYU:
In 1999, a BYU fan leaped out of the stands and tackled a Utah cheerleader during the game in which the Utes were leading and eventually won. the cheerleader responded by tackling his attacker and landing several punches before security officers intervened and ended the fracas.
UTAH:
Former broadcaster Paul James, who owns the distinction of being the only Utah graduate who is a member of the BYU Athletic Hall of fame remembers a game at Utah in the 1970s, when BYU running back Jeff Blanc suffered a neck injury and Ute fans cheered.
In 1998, Ryan Kaneshiro missed a chip-shot field goal on the last play against BYU. Not only did he get blamed for the loss by the media and fans, but even Ute head coach Ron McBride said Kaneshiro had only one job to do and he didn't do it.
Way to sell the whole 'win-as-a-team, lose-as-a-team' mantra there coach.
I also read one person's comments, and I quote (mis-spellings and all ;)), "I hold BYU fans to a higher standard. Not only are they representing a school but they are also representing a community and a higher standard. Because the school is a faith based University their fans and their students take on a certain responsibility when they dawn the big white Y."
By that logic you hold Utah to a lower standard and have just effectively excused any bad behavior by the team or its fans. If you're reading this, I love ya man but that logic is flawed and it's a cop-out.
So you see, classlessness flares up on all sides during the heat of the moment. Can we cut each other some slack and not get sucked into such bitterness? Remember that there are classy people on both sides too.
I for one, due in part to things like this, plan to stay away from all things rivalry related to BYU / Utah football in 2016.
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