The Oregon Ducks have one of the most rabid and venomous fan bases in all of college football. They pack beautiful Autzen Stadium on the school’s scenic campus located in Eugene every fall to cheer on their Ducks. The fan chants are notorious for being rather engaging, edgy, and actually funny. That was until this past weekend where the student section took things way too far.
As the Ducks hosted the BYU Cougars, a Mormon school located in Provo, Utah, fans chanted, ““F— the Mormons.”
That’s something that was totally uncalled for, and most would agree, completely unacceptable. The chant even rubbed rising 2024 quarterback prospect T.C Manumaleuna the wrong way. The Salem, Oregon, native was at Oregon on an official visit. He and his dad are members of Latter-Day Saints Church. When they heard the chants rain down, they headed for the exits.
Oregon Ducks QB recruit T.C. Manumaleuna leaves UO vs. BYU game because of offensive chant https://t.co/ORjIjyPSwP pic.twitter.com/eW1f2s2lmC
— Andrew Nemec (@AndrewNemec) September 19, 2022
In a phone interview with SBLive on Monday, the 2024 pro-style gunslinging prospect said this about the incident.
“We were up where all the students were sitting. We were right next to the student section. At first they weren’t saying harmful chants, but they got to ‘Eff the Mormons.’ At that time, just hearing that … it was kind of weird for me. It kind of hurt. My dad said let’s go right after. After hearing those chants we decided to leave.”
In this instance, BYU wasn’t the school saying religiously intolerant chants, but ironically, the school’s sports culture has recently been in the news for racially-insensitive allegations made by their student body towards a Black Duke University volleyball player. And while Manumaleuna says that single incident doesn’t change his mind about Oregon, it’s definitely a black eye on the program.
“It was just the student section. I have a really close relationship with coach Dan Lanning and coach Tosh Lupoi … and also T.J. Moala. I have a really close relationship with them. It was just a mishap of that trip, but Oregon is still my favorite. That’s the reason I play football, because I was an Oregon fan.”
Last month, the BYU women’s volleyball program came under fire when a fan allegedly made racist remarks toward a Duke volleyball player. After an investigation the school determined that they didn’t find any wrongdoing.
The alleged incident had some fallout as South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley canceled a home-and-home basketball series with the Cougars immediately upon the news breaking.
Manumaleuna Holds Four D-1 Offers: List Is Sure To Grow By Next Year
What’s ironic is BYU is also on his list of suitors who’ve shown interest in the dynamic strong-armed signal-caller. In fact he’s already visited BYU during the offseason and plans to take another trip to a game in the coming weeks. The Cougars and head coach Kalani Sitake really like T.J., and his strengths fit what they want to do on offense. He’s a lot like former BYU quarterback and 2021 NFL draft No. 2 overall pick, Zach Wilson.
“They are one of my biggest recruits. I plan to go to a game there.”
For the last 2 yrs I got to work with the best coaches @AlexBrink10 @Coach_Riddell2 @LavasierTuinei @DY_Lee11 @FootballParrish bcuz I wanted to be the best. Thank you @coach_cristobal @BallCoachJoeMo @CoachArendsUO for believing in me. 🙏🙏🙏 Go 🦆’s!! pic.twitter.com/MMOwz34xv5
— TC Manumaleuna II (@TCqbll) June 12, 2020
BYU Entered Stadium With Flag Honoring Fallen Oregon Player
Cougars entered the stadium showing solidarity with the Oregon team and its fan base by waving a flag that beared the name of a fallen player. Spencer Webb lost his life in July, after hitting his head on rockslides near campus in Eugene. But that didn’t stop the Oregon fans from chanting those insensitive words.
❤️ @oregonfootball transfer Kingsley Suamataia carried an Oregon flag and placed flowers on the sideline in honor of Spencer Webb ahead of today's game against @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/Xwpu5yGPlN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022
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