Virginia Tech Fans Go Too Far With 'Bury The U Next To Jose Fernandez' Sign
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Virginia Tech fans have gone too far with a tasteless sign referencing late Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.
Prior to Thursday's primetime game between the Hokies and Hurricanes, VT Barstool posted a picture of a banner that read: "Bury the U next to Jose Fernandez RIP."
Social media users immediately began condemning the offensive sign.
@BarstoolVTech I'm a Nole and that's disgusting
— Toby Srebnik (@fsutoby) October 20, 2016
@BarstoolVTech Be respectful and remove this picture! Totally classless!
— Chad Londeree (@chadlonderee) October 20, 2016
Other university "stoolies" under the Barstool umbrella responded to the picture, voicing their disdain for the post.
@BarstoolVTech this is an embarrassment
— Barstool UMiami (@BarstoolUMiami) October 20, 2016
@BarstoolVTech pic.twitter.com/tzThR8ud8x
— Barstool Notre Dame (@BarstoolND) October 20, 2016
@BarstoolVTech pic.twitter.com/aTeYBJMQGP
— Barstool WVU (@WVUBarstool) October 20, 2016
@BarstoolVTech @BarstoolUMiami we love our stoolie brothers in Blacksburg and Coral Gables but uhhh... pic.twitter.com/2BUtl8s4d7
— Barstool Ohio U (@BarstoolOhioU) October 20, 2016
Virginia Tech released a statement saying Hokie fans are better than that.
We released the following statement regarding a tasteless off campus sign. #HokieNation is better than that. pic.twitter.com/qtPxNvoEw4
— Virginia Tech News (@vtnews) October 21, 2016
Fernandez's life was tragically cut short when his boat hit a jetty on Government Cut off the coast of Miami Beach.
Not only was the 24-year-old Marlins ace a marvelous talent, he had an infectious personality and confidence that elevated his game.
Family, friends, fellow players and fans have all honored Fernandez in their own ways.
The University of Miami Hurricanes football team wore a helmet decal with his initials and number.
His teammates donned black jerseys with his name and number in their first game following his death.
Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown, a Miami native, created custom cleats commemorating Fernandez's life.