Loyola Chicago players got torched on social media for ignoring team chaplain Sister Jean Schmidt.
The 105-year-old religious sister became a viral sensation during the 2018 NCAA Tournament due to her constant presence courtside for the Ramblers. The team would make a Final Four appearance with many pointing to Sister Jean’s prayers for their success.
However, fans were fuming after a video of players ignoring her fist-bump attempt circulated on social media.
After Loyola’s 76-54 win over Eastern Michigan, Sister Jean waited by the tunnel in her wheelchair to congratulate the players with a gesture.
The clip shows forward Jack Turner, guard Justin Moore, and forward Jalen DeLoach blatantly ignoring the chaplain despite the team being in good spirits. This came after a few teammates honored Sister Jean’s gesture.
Basketball fans are fuming over Loyola Chicago players for ignoring Sister Jean after a win
‘Bro this shit just made me so mad,’ one user wrote. ‘Like you don’t see her sitting right there!!!!’
‘I hope they don’t win another game,’ another wrote.
‘Damn these guys have no respect,’ a third claimed. ‘May they lose day one of their own conference tourney!!’
‘That is one of the rudest moments I’ve seen in sports. They will never be Champs, but they are surely Chumps,’ a fourth added.
Meanwhile a fifth questioned what would happen ‘If they were white and she black.’
The win over Eastern Michigan moved the Ramblers to 7-0 as they sit on top of the A-10 Conference. Their next five games will remain on their campus, starting with the University of South Florida’s visit on December 7.
Sister Jean became a centenarian just over a year after she became a beloved figure to college basketball fans during March Madness. Her birthday, August 21, was proclaimed ‘Sister Jean Day’ across the State of Illinois by Governor JD Pritzker.
In 2022, the plaza outside the Loyola CTA station was dedicated to Sister Jean for her 103rd birthday.
US President Joe Biden proclaimed Sister Jean for her lifetime of service when she turned 105 earlier this year.