Deion Sanders apologized to BYU for a profane chant during Saturday's game at Colorado.
Fans at Folsom Field shouted, "(Expletive) the Mormons" during Colorado's 24-21 loss to BYU. Colorado issued an apology, and the Big 12 fined and reprimanded the university for the crowd's behavior.
Sanders addressed the incident during Monday's press conference, blaming the unruly chants on a small subsection of inebriated students.
"On behalf of CU, 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 said. "That's not indicative of who we are. Our student body, our kids are phenomenal. So don't indict us just based on a group of young kids that probably was intoxicated and high simultaneously. Maybe I shouldn't have said that as well, but the truth gonna make you free. But BYU, we love you, we appreciate you, and we support you."
Colorado released a statement Sunday from Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Athletic Director Rick George decrying the chants. The university said it "strongly condemns the use of expletives and religious slurs."
"Such behavior is deeply disappointing and does not reflect the values of respect, inclusion and integrity we expect of our campus community," the statement read. "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.
"CU Boulder is committed to fostering an environment where all individuals -- students, staff, faculty, alumni, opposing fans and other visitors -- feel welcome and safe. Discriminatory language and hostile conduct have no place at our athletic events or anywhere on our campus."
The Big 12 assessed Colorado with a public reprimand and $50,000 fine on Tuesday afternoon.
"Hateful and discriminatory language has no home in the Big 12 Conference," Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a 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 seek its first conference win of the season when playing at TCU this Saturday night.