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The University of Wyoming apologized Friday to 14 black former football players that were unjustly cut from the 1969 Wyoming Cowboys football team.
The apology took place at a celebratory dinner and was issued by the Wyoming athletics director, Tom Burman. The dinner was a part of the 50th anniversary of the controversy. A plaque commemorating the former students was also unveiled. The 11 remaining living members of the Black 14, as they are commonly known, were honored during halftime at Wyoming's Saturday game against Idaho.
The Black 14 were punished for wanting to wear black armbands during their game against Brigham Young University to protest the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' decision not to allow black clergy. BYU is owned and operated by the Latter-day Saints.
This was the first time anyone from the university had publicly apologized to the men for the incident.
The apology letter was signed by Burman and former president of UW Laurie Nichols.
In February the university invited members of the Black 14 to campus to speak for Black History Month, according to the Casper Star Tribune.
