Mormon Gang Rivalry
You might think you know all about this LDS mess just because you're a sports fans or because you've heard about it, but believe us when we say, you have to see it to believe it. They don't call it the Holy War for nothing. Even though we weren't called to serve, we accepted the mission and went undercover at a football game to find out what's the big to do about red and blue.
Things we heard:
- Hey ladies, one of you is wearing the wrong color.
- What kind of parents are upset that their kid got into BYU?
- Are you guys Mormon?
- So are you two related to any of the players? (You know they thought we were somebody's baby mama!)
- Last time I checked, the church accepted red tithing checks.
- The U of U is the school of the Prophets.
- You two aren't LDS, are you?
- To Sista Beehive: You look so nice in that heavenly blue, you should've helped your sister pick her outfit.
- To Sista Laurel: Don't be a afraid to cheer, we're not like U fans, we're nice.
- Are you guys twins? (We said, "yes.") Well how the heck did this [pointing at our outfits] happen!
- To Sista Beehive: Are you the only member in your family?
- Boy, those refs must be on the U's payroll!
- It's obvious that the refs work for blue!
- Hey, are ya'll Mormon?
What color are you down with? Do you even care? Got any crazy rivalry stories?
Jesus Said Love Everyone,
Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel
20 comments:
You guys are such a hoot! I wish I knew you in real life. I'm impressed with the effort you went to for this underground reporting...
I converted as an adult (so don't have a lot of the LDS cultural indoctrination), and frankly couldn't care less about sports in general. :)
Sistas, it's like the Alabama - Auburn Rivalry gone West... I totally get it having lived in the Wasatch battle zone and seeing the rabid fan action. Brought a tear to my eye... and inspired me to host a party when the Bama versus Tigers game was on one year. My Utah friends didn't know about the teams, but the feelings of rivalry showed up by the second half.
It's all good. Because whomever wins on the scoreboard one year doesn't ... we know that there is only one TRUE school... right? hee hee hee
ROLL TIDE!!
funnnny...BYU '72
Yes Shelley, rivalries go way beyond red and blue...it's hard for any rivalries to compete with those of the south!
That's not a bad position to be in, cause you get to wear whatever color looks best on you!
You don't want to know us in real life. In real life we can't even stand each other...lol. Thanks for stopping by.
We are pure red. U of U '72.
This is hilarious. I spent one memorable year at BYU after marrying my husband. We both had nothing to do with sports and didn't care about the rivalry. Watching people who did care was hilarious at times even if we did get flack because we didn't participate. From what I have seen it doesn't really matter which side you go with, both sides take it waaaaaay too seriously. I wish LDS members would remember that sports rivalries are not important in the eternal perspective. I have seen too many people do negative things and justify them because of the "rivalry". A sports rivalry isn't worth compromising your values.
You guys are awesome.
Although I was raised to bleed blue (go cougs!) I think the rivalry is rediculous and people on both sides can lack decorum.
However, I have to say one of my best memories of the rivalry was when I volunteered to help with security during "red week" - the week BYU plays Utah - I spent the night on the top of the SWKT with my radio and another ham radio club member, giving hourly check-ins to "command" and keeping and eye out for Ute hooligans coming to vandalize campus. Nothing ever happened that night, but it sure was fun to spend the night on top of the SWKT!
This totally made me laugh - I grew up in New York completely unaware of the rivalry. My Freshman year at BYU I went to a friend's house for Thanksgiving (in the heart of Ute territory) and their family made fun of me and BYU the entire vacation - it was my first introduction to the "bad blood" between the schools. I never met anyone at BYU (that was from outside of Utah) that cared, but just about anyone I met that went to the U made a big deal about it when talking to me. However, my trainer from my mission went to the U and she's one of my favorite people ever, so I guess even Blue and Red can get along. Tee hee.
Thanks for reminding everyone that the Gospel should be taken seriously, but "Mormon Culture" should definitely not. Every post on this site is delightful, well-written, and seriously... funny. I've been laughing all morning.
Great points - I love your blog and your thoughts. BYU '84
Of course, I smiled at this one. My husband graduated from the U. and I graduated from the Y. I kind of converted him to the Y. One year we had tickets for football games at both schools. We had just moved back to Utah at that time. He does have a hat that has half of it blue, BYU and the other half U. Of U. He really doesn't dare wearing it. The crowd was actually a little nicer at BYU. The main thing is to Love One Another regardless of which school.
Blessings to you for a fun post!
I'm so far removed from that scene, that I'd have to say "neitha" :) But you both look cute in your red and blue! Funny, funny!
I've been blue from the inside out since I was a little girl...even before they had the big stadium and the Marriott Center. I enjoy the "Holy War" because it always brings out the best in the players from both sides. This BYU fan is willing to cheer for the Utes if BYU is no longer in the picture that year. But if I have to choose, it is definitely for BYU because that is what our family has always done. Yes, it is a family thing! My father started it, and I have passed it down to our children, and am passing it on to my grand babies. I am proud to be a BYU fan, and I am not afraid to sit in the middle of a crowd of Ute fans. Rise up!! Go Blue!!
That's hysterical! Thanks for the laugh.
I love the casting of lots :-)
I just stumbled on to your blog today and I have to say I looooooove you guys! I grew up in Las Vegas, which has a ton of Mormons, and also a lot of cultural diversity, which I love, because the Gospel is about loving everyone, and so many people outside of our church just don't understand that. Sadly, some people inside the church forget as well. Keep up the good work!
-Your newest faithful follower, Kaitlyn
I went to BYU-Hawaii for my undergrad, and was always annoyed when people talked about their "Blue BYU blood" out there. Um, hello, BYU-Hawaii's colors are red and gold.
Post a Comment