HS Football Parents Say Fans Hurled Epithets, Drinks

A high school football game in Utah allegedly ended with fans of one team using racial epithets while throwing drinks at opposing players.

According to ABC4, parents of both Hillcrest High School and Mountain View High School students said that Mountain View fans behaved poorly after Friday’s game. Mountain View is part of the Alpine School District, with spokesman David Stephenson telling ABC4, “We are aware of a situation that occurred at the game. It is under investigation.”

Percy Pearson relayed to ABC4 what his son, a Hillcrest player, told him about the aftermath of Mountain View’s 49-7 home win.

“They were told they couldn’t shake hands because some reason, he couldn’t quite hear, and they were walking to the locker rooms and somebody threw a drink at one of his teammates,” Pearson said. “An older gentleman threw a drink at one of his teammates and then told him to get his black *** over there to shake hands, and somebody else tried to spit on him.

 “I always taught him it doesn’t matter what they call you, it’s what you answer too. But the spitting on, and throwing stuff, and calling you racial slurs, we ain’t having that.”

ABC4’s Jason Nguyen also spoke with three Mountain View families who said they were embarrassed by what happened. Mountain View is reportedly already under investigation by the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights due to parents alleging that school officials treated student-athletes of color differently.

“The principals at the two schools have been in close contact about the reports regarding Friday night’s football game,” said Jeffrey Haney, a spokesman for Canyons School District, of which Hillcrest High School belongs. “They are following the proper procedures to investigate and determine possible next steps. We will continue to work collaboratively to promote sportsmanship and ensure that all students feel welcome to participate in extracurricular activities.”