A remark made by former NFL quarterback and college football analyst Robert Griffin III regarding BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier's family dining habits has ignited discussion among sports fans. Griffin stated during the broadcast of BYU's September 12 game against Arizona that the Bachmeier brothers, Bear and his teammate Tiger, occasionally dine with their family members while unclothed.
Griffin's comment, made in the fourth quarter of the game, suggested that the practice was a casual family affair. Play-by-play announcer Connor Onion's response to Griffin's assertion was a brief, non-committal question. While the exchange was not immediately a viral sensation, it gained traction in the days that followed, prompting widespread online reactions.
Many online commenters expressed disbelief at Griffin's claim. The Bachmeier family is described as devoutly Catholic, and the brothers are frequently seen praying together before games. This detail, coupled with the nature of the claim, led many to question its veracity. Some internet users speculated about religious attire, while others humorously suggested the practice could be a method for maintaining a modest diet.
Neither Bear nor Tiger Bachmeier have publicly addressed Griffin's comments. The brothers transferred to BYU in 2025. This season, Bear Bachmeier has been a notable performer for the Cougars, completing 71 percent of his passes for 642 yards and six touchdowns in three games.
The recent game against Colorado State was also marked by an incident where Rams fans directed offensive chants toward BYU. Colorado State University has since issued an apology for the chants, stating that mocking any faith is unacceptable and contrary to their community values. BYU's athletic department has previously released a statement addressing similar incidents, emphasizing that while they do not comment on every occurrence, words matter and prejudice should be eliminated. The statement also highlighted that disparaging the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints impacts more than just BYU, as members of the faith are present in many communities and on opposing teams.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, when addressing the chants, suggested that the behavior represented a small segment of the fanbase. He emphasized that his players are motivated by the game itself and do not focus on the actions of a few. Prior to the Colorado State game, students from both universities participated in a book drive for a local children's literacy center, collecting 3,000 books and setting a new record for BYU's Cougs Care initiative.