Middle School Coach Reprimanded After Kneeling With Players in Prayer
A school district in Florida has taken the "Hail Mary" out of one football coach's playbook .
Wakulla Middle School football coach Eddie Metcalf has faced criticism for kneeling alongside his team during a pregame prayer.
A video posted on Facebook Oct. 7 by Keith Whitfield, a team member's parent, shows Metcalf taking a knee in the pregame huddle, though it's unclear if he actually took part in the prayer led by one of his players.
According to the Wakulla County School Board, that "act of reverence" is against the law.
"That's not allowable under the law," Superintendent Robert Pearce told television station WCTV. "The coach may not participate in the prayer."
The organization Freedom From Religion Foundation complained to the school board about the coach, calling his actions "unconstitutional" by promoting religion on the job.
"What we want our coaches to do -- and what most people have survived with in regards to meeting the letter of the law -- is to have separation from the players, two to three steps. You are allowed to have reverent respect for their prayer," Pearce said, adding the district has held training seminars regarding prayer on the football field.
This kneeling controversy comes in the wake of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem throughout this season.
People on social media have expressed their support for Metcalf's actions.
A school district in Florida has taken the "Hail Mary" out of one football coach's playbook .
Wakulla Middle School football coach Eddie Metcalf has faced criticism for kneeling alongside his team during a pregame prayer.
A video posted on Facebook Oct. 7 by Keith Whitfield, a team member's parent, shows Metcalf taking a knee in the pregame huddle, though it's unclear if he actually took part in the prayer led by one of his players.
According to the Wakulla County School Board, that "act of reverence" is against the law.
"That's not allowable under the law," Superintendent Robert Pearce told television station WCTV. "The coach may not participate in the prayer."
The organization Freedom From Religion Foundation complained to the school board about the coach, calling his actions "unconstitutional" by promoting religion on the job.
"What we want our coaches to do -- and what most people have survived with in regards to meeting the letter of the law -- is to have separation from the players, two to three steps. You are allowed to have reverent respect for their prayer," Pearce said, adding the district has held training seminars regarding prayer on the football field.
This kneeling controversy comes in the wake of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem throughout this season.
People on social media have expressed their support for Metcalf's actions.
