The following was originally published on Daniel C. Peterson’s Patheos blog, Sic et Non. To visit, CLICK HERE.

Well, BYU won its tenth football game of the season last night (as compared to one loss), defeating the University of Cincinnati at Nippert Field in Ohio.

I don’t typically comment about BYU athletics here, or about sports in general.  And this comment won’t really be about football, either.  I want, though, to call attention to something that’s connected with last night’s contest:

For years now, prior to road games, BYU has sponsored tailgate parties that focus on generating contributions to local charities.  (If I’m not mistaken, during the lead-up to yesterday’s BYU/Cincinnati game there was a coat drive to support the Cincinnati NAACP and to provide local children with winter coats.)  Moreover, ahead of last night’s game the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a 27,000 pound food donation for Cincinnati’s on-campus Bearcats Pantry to support students who might be facing food insecurity. It’s the largest single donation in the Pantry’s history.  (See “‘Moved beyond words’: University of Cincinnati officials grateful for Latter-day Saint food donation to Bearcat students in need: Ahead of BYU’s football game with Cincinnati, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 27,000 pounds of food to Cincinnati’s on-campus food pantry.”)  For home games, on the other hand (and as is becoming well known), BYU fans seek out fans of the visiting team in the stands and give them free ice cream.  Here, though, are two reports from Nippert Field last night:

“Cincinnati fans engaged in offensive chants directed toward BYU during football game against Cougars: At one point in the contest, Cincinnati’s public address announcer encouraged fans to stop any ‘derogatory’ chants”

“Cincinnati Students Disrespect BYU With Explicit Anti-Mormon Chant Despite Charitable Gestures”

I’ll happily take the contrast.  (I confess to being just slightly surprised that the bigoted chants that began at other campuses quite a while ago have continued unabated and unashamed right on through and beyond the lethal religiously-motivated attack on a Latter-day Saint sacrament service that occurred in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on 28 September of this year, not quite two months ago.)  There is, though, biblical counsel for such matters, and I’m very pleased that Brigham Young University and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seem to be following it — here and in other, analogous, cases.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Or, if that seems a bit too sweetly idealistic, how about this?

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21-22)

Or, even, Romans 12:21 in its full context, with the verses that precede it:

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

I could not possibly be more gratified by the way that BYU football and its fans are presenting themselves in this regard. And, oh yes: While we’re still on the topic of the game last night between Cincinnati and BYU, did I mention that we won?

To visit Daniel’s blog, Sic et Non, CLICK HERE.