Deion Sanders apologizes for Colorado fans’ profane chants directed at BYU

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders ended his weekly press conference Tuesday by addressing and apologizing for the profane chants directed at BYU during the two teams’ matchup at Folsom Field this past Saturday.

“I know there was an incident at the end of the game or (whenever), on behalf of CU and on behalf of our athletic department, we would like to apologize to our opponents from a week ago for whatever derogatory statements were made by our fans,” Sanders told reporters.

“That’s not who we are, our student body and our kids are phenomenal. So don’t indict us just based on a group of young kids that probably (were) intoxicated and high simultaneously. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that as well, but the truth will make you free.

Sanders continued, “BYU, we love you, we appreciate you and we support you. God bless.”

Coach Prime issues an apology to BYU and their fans for derogatory comments made during the game.

“BYU, we love you. We appreciate you, and we support you.” pic.twitter.com/HqlLxfclQA

— 2025 Big XII Burner Tournament Champion (@SKOBUFFS22) September 30, 2025

The chants were “(Expletive) BYU” and “(Expletive) the Mormons,” and occurred several times each throughout the contest in Boulder.

When asked by the Deseret News about the chants immediately following Colorado’s 24-21 loss to BYU, Sanders said he had not heard any chants — most likely due to being on a headset during the game.

Sanders’ apology joins the statement from school chancellor Justin Schwartz and athletic director Rick George issued late Sunday night regarding the inappropriate chants.

“The University of Colorado Boulder strongly condemns the use of expletives and religious slurs by individuals in the stands during the recent football game against BYU. Such behavior is deeply disappointing and does not reflect the values of respect, inclusion and integrity we expect of our campus community,” the statement said in part.

“Attending sporting events at CU Boulder is a privilege, and with that comes the responsibility to uphold our Fan Code of Conduct. The university and CU Athletics have a strict policy when it comes to abusive behavior, and those found to have engaged in conduct that is not consistent with our values are held accountable."

Additionally, the Big 12 issued a public reprimand of Colorado Tuesday and fined the school $50,000 for the incident, as previously reported by the Deseret News.

“Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a Tuesday statement. “While we appreciate Colorado apologizing for the chants that occurred in the stands during Saturday’s game, the Big 12 maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Colorado will receive a $50,000 fine in accordance with our conference policies.”

Sanders has long expressed his admiration for Kalani Sitake’s BYU program, doing so once again after his Buffaloes fell to the Cougars on Saturday.

“(I have the) utmost respect for the coaching staff over there, especially (Sitake),” Sanders said. “... Disciplined team, fundamentally sound team. (They) played their butts off. Young quarterback (Bear Bachmeier) is phenomenal. Proud of him. He did what he had to do to win the game. He made the plays that he was supposed to make to win the game.”