It is unfortunate that after another well fought and exciting football game between Utah and BYU that it is necessary to discuss poor sportsmanship.
I am a senior at the University of Utah who, sadly, had to witness what one of our cheerleaders deemed necessary to 'fight' for his school. For those who did not witness the disgusting scene, Billy Priddis (a Utah cheerleader) was carrying the large Utah flag in the north endzone when a BYU fan (I am assuming he is a student) chose to run onto the field and tackle him from behind. Priddis jumped up, returned the favor and then proceeded to land as many punches as possible while the student was pinned down.
The lack of judgement by the BYU student showed poor sportsmanship; the retaliation by our cheerleader showed no class. It is one thing for a student to jump onto the field and blindside a cheerleader from the other team. It is quite another for a cheerleader, someone who wears Utah's colors and represents the school, to retaliate the way he did.
I don't condone the BYU student's actions at all. In some ways he brought that punishment on himself. But I was flat out embarrassed by Priddis' reaction. It was a travesty that the BYU student got kicked out and the cheerleader was allowed to stay.
I am a staunch Utah fan. But this weekend I was ashamed of what someone who represents my school chose to do. Although it provides little retribution, I want to apologize for the actions of Priddis. No true Utah fan would act the way he did. Scenarios like this are the reason Utah fans have a poor reputation among BYU fans. I can only hope that Priddis' actions don't cast a further shadow on what is becoming a blemish on the University of Utah.
Greg Thornton
Salt Lake City