Virginia Tech fans hang insensitive Jose Fernandez sign before Miami game
Virginia Tech fans hung a banner in front of an off-campus house in Blacksburg that made light of the recent death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.
"Bury the U next to Jose Fernandez RIP," the sign read.
Virginia Tech played Miami on Thursday night, overcoming the Hurricanes, 37–16. But the photo of the sign went viral after the game, prompting the university to release a statement.
“We've been made aware of an offensive sign that appears to have come from a member of our community," the statement from the Virginia Tech public affairs office said. "While we investigate, we want to emphasize that that this tasteless off campus sign doesn't reflect our values or those of Hokie Nation. Athletic rivalries are what make sports great, but that sort of talk has no place here. We're better than that.”
When Barstool says this is over the line it's over the line pic.twitter.com/tED2pyfjyZ
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 20, 2016
Fernandez, 24, was killed along with two friends in a boating accident in September. Many of his teammates and other athletes have shared how heartbroken they were to learn of his death.