Any football team who tackles their own players deserves to lose. Utah linebacker, Stevenson "Sly" Sylvester (#10), should give a public apology for his classless actions that led to a Utah loss on Saturday's overtime game against BYU. In Sylvester's defense, corner back Joe Dale (#12) allegedly poured beer and cayenne pepper on Sylvester's jockstrap before the game. Still, that's no excuse for bringing shame to your team, even if it was done in the heat of the moment.
Feelings were hurt and school pride crushed at this year's Holy War. The tradition of hatred and fierce competition between BYU and Utah took a hit as fans turned on their own teammates instead of aiming the energy at their opponents. If we are to preserve this great rivalry, we must remember how the war is to be fought: taunting, jeering, name-calling, desecration of property of the opposing school, invocation of divine endorsement, etc.
Once we forget to hate everything about our opponents, we begin to hate ourselves. A self-destructive rivalry is boring for both sides. Let us all join together in a mutual loathing and bring back the tradition, honor, spirit—and most of all, class, that made this rivalry so great.
