Since then, the sports world has frequently discussed the outcome and BYU’s potential, which is now ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Associated Press poll. Cougar fans, detractors and experts from around the country have spent countless hours on the topic.

But I’m going to focus on a different element from that game that has come to light.

I received the following Letter to the Editor from Jerry Kammer, who introduced himself as a retired journalist who worked in various locations across the country before settling down in Connecticut.

Here’s what he said:

“I am an alumnus of Notre Dame who attended last Saturday’s game between ND (Notre Dame) and BYU. It was an epic battle that will have a place in the football lore of both universities.

“But I am writing this to express my gratitude and admiration for the hospitality and friendliness of the BYU fans, many of whom, having noticed the ND monogram on my cap and the green of my wife’s sweater, approached us to welcome us and even to thank us for coming. A long distance truck driver wanted us to know how grateful he was for the Notre Dame security officer who guided him to safety after he became stranded in a blizzard that swept across Northern Indiana.

“The warmth of the BYU fans — their smiles and welcomes — lifted my spirits at a time in our country when the politics of bitterness and hostility are so prevalent, propagated by cynical politicians and zealots on both the left and right. I fear that the character of our country has been degraded by such premeditated nastiness.

“But as I returned to our home in Connecticut — one of the most liberal states in our country — I relished the realization that in Utah — one of our most conservative states — we had witnessed not only a football game for the ages but also the spirit of civility and decency that diverse democratic societies such as ours must have if we are to withstand the storms that have gathered around us.”

Kammer wasn’t alone in expressing such sentiments. Many Notre Dame fans posted on their social media accounts about their positive experiences.

Mike Golic, a long-time national broadcaster and former NFL player who now is the color commentator for the SoFi Notre Dame Radio Network, talked about a similar topic with his son, Mike Golic Jr. on The Golics Show. A clip posted on the X account @TheGolics posted on Oct. 19 discussed the LaVell Edwards Stadium experience:

“It’s one of the friendliest places I’ve ever been to,” Golic said on the show. “I was walking in. I took the team bus over and I was walking in with the team, so everyone there knows I’m with Notre Dame. The workers and fans in the stadium are like fist-bumping us, saying ‘hey, how are you doing? Hope you have a good time here.’ I’m ready to square up on them, thinking they are being sarcastic, thinking, wait, are we about to fight? What’s going on? But no, they are just unbelievably nice.

“The scene was beautiful. The people were unbelievably nice. The game didn’t end the way I wanted to it end but it turned out to be a great game, especially for BYU. But what a pleasant experience it was.”

Golic Jr. called it an “unsettling amount of kindness,” a sentiment that many Notre Dame fans and others have echoed after a visit to Provo.

I know BYU has worked hard to ensure that visitors to LaVell Edwards Stadium feel welcome, including showing them on the video board, playing their fight song, blessing them in the pre-game prayer and implementing the now-famous tradition of providing free ice cream to opposing fans.

I also know from personal experience that BYU is not the only place that welcomes visitors and treats them with kindness and respect.

I did a quick off-the-top-of-my-head tally and my career has taken me to at least 51 different football stadiums in 26 different states. One of the best parts of covering college football was meeting so many wonderful people, both fans and stadium personnel, who have been appreciative, generous and helpful.

Yes, there have been a few unfortunate incidences where I’ve seen fans act out, either through aggressive physical confrontations or degrading chants from student sections.

But the majority of my experiences have been incredibly positive, regardless of the outcome on the field.

As I read how Kammer expressed his appreciation for what he called “the spirit of civility and decency” he felt as a visitor to LaVell Edwards Stadium, I realized that sentiment resonates with me because of my own experiences.

Between traditional national media sources and social media, I think we are presented a very distorted view of the people of this country. Some of that is intentional, some of it is a byproduct of being so focused on what we think is right that we cast people with differing views in a negative light.

But the bottom line is we are just people doing the best we can.

Generally, we are kind. We are appreciative. We are helpful. We are there for each other.

We just need to remember to look for opportunities to see and remember those things.

Like, for example, at so many college football games.

Jared Lloyd is the managing editor of the Daily Herald and can be reached at jlloyd@heraldextra.com.