Monday letters: Some Clemson fans went too far

Some friends of mine — both native South Carolinians — attended the Orange Bowl. The husband graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and he and his wife wore Sooner shirts to the game, where they were surrounded by Clemson fans who directed profane, obscene and hateful comments at them.

They realize there is always going to be some trash talk from supporters of competing teams, but this went far beyond that, to the point that the wife felt threatened. The obscenities, including f-bombs and suggestions for physically impossible sex acts, were delivered in loud voices despite the presence of numerous children.

Did directing all this vitriol at a middle-aged couple help Clemson win? Would the very Christian coach be proud to have supporters like this? Would these “fans” be proud of their conduct if it had been filmed and played for the congregation at their churches? Being a fan is not a license to act like a jerk.

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Monday letters: Some Clemson fans went too far."