High school track team disqualified for making religious gesture
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KRIV TV ^ | 5/2/2013 | Damali Keith
Some people are outraged after a high school track team is disqualified from competing in state finals because one runner made a religious gesture. In just a few seconds the boys Columbus High School 4 X 100 relay team went from winning the regional meet, heading to state championships to having it all stripped away. ]
How did the "W" so quickly become "DQ"? Well. when the anchor of the relay team crossed the finish line, he won the race, raised his finger to the sky and that gesture caused the winning regional's relay team to be disqualified.
"It's a sad deal. I think it's a travesty. Those kids work hard," says K.C. Hayes. Hayes' son Derrick Hayes is the runner who won the race then pointed to God, turning a once in a lifetime opportunity into a huge heartbreak that will likely last his lifetime. "As a team they reached their goal and in an instant it was just gone, over something we think is a non-issue. I guess someone else thinks it is an issue. He just said dad I was pointing at the heavens" says K.C. Hayes.
A judge with the University Interscholastic League or UIL, which enforces the rules for high school athletics, was there at the meet in Kingsville and made the call to disqualify the four member relay team. "For those kids the work they put in, what are we teaching them? Ok you're going to sacrifice, work hard and do everything it takes and ok it's just ripped away," says Hayes.
"It's a harsh consequence for what some people may deem a small gesture. The rule states no celebratory gestures including raising your arms," explains Columbus I.S.D. Superintendent Robert O'Connor. According to the UIL the relay team was disqualified for "unsporting conduct". The UIL also points out, it does not have a rule prohibiting religious expression. "You can do whatever you want to in terms of prayer, kneeling or whatever you want to once you get out of the competition area. You just can't do it in the competition area. It goes back to the taunting rule. I can't taunt my opponent," O'Connor explains.
"It's not a malicious act. It's not a taunting act. It's a 'we did it' and he (my son) knows where the source comes from. I know him. He's not a malicious kid. On the football field he'll hit you and then help you up," Hayes says.
"It's heartbreaking," says O'Connor. Superintendent O'Connor says since Saturday's track meet and the disqualification he has received a number of nasty emails. One read 'Dear sir, you, are an idiot'. O'Connor wants to stress this is not his decision. This is coming from the UIL. In fact, the district protested the disqualification but the UIL is not changing the decision.
This would not have happened if the runner was black, or if he had shouted “allahu akbar”.
If this kid had dropped a Muslim prayer rug on the track and bowed down for 10 minutes while pointing toward Mecca, they wouldn’t have said a peep
It is a flagrant act of religious bigotry.
I’m hoping Jay Sekulow is ready to collect a huge fee from this organization.
If this had been a muzzie throwing down his blankie and praying on the finish line we would not have heard about it.
What an absolutely ridiculous situation. This HAS to have a good Constitutional Law lawyer all over it... Plus the public needs to express outrage toward the stupid Czar who is enforcing this “rule”.
The rule is an example of micromanaging stupidity which of course is the result of the leftists and their agenda to control everything.
I hope there’s a lawsuit. Last time I checked, the part in the constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion has not yet been repealed.
uiltexas.org
Media Contact: Kate Hector
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I think this contact information could be helpful ;)
And the country became Godless and fell.
They say the decision was made by a “judge,” but they don’t name this judge. I think he should be named, and his address and telephone number be published.
Freaking nightmare we're living through!
It's like a drumbeat of abuses against Constitutional freedoms with a feeling of helplessness to do something about it.Is it possible the public really condones this?
sure sounds like religious bigotry in action
last i checked, EVERY CITIZEN of the United States is protected under the first amendment, not just child pornographers. that protection includes the free exercise of their religious beliefs... which includes pointing to the sky to thank their creator.
i say sue the hell out of the organization then have all officials that signed off on it, fired. then sue them personally.
don’t leave those progressive nazis with a dime to their name
It’s been my experience that the folks who govern these sorts of athletic boards are some of the most hidebound, humorless bleeps you’ll find.
Welcome to the world of progressive intolerance.....
It has only just begun...
And any kid who points a French fry at another kid and says "bang" should be expelled and arrested. /s
FWIW smiling is a “celebratory gesture.” Did they disqualify every winner who smiled? Or just the ones who appeared to be recognizing the source of their God given abilities?
That is in the 10th Congressional District McCaul (R). Now all we need is to get he information on the “judge” and the organization to make a public spectacle out of them. Who, knows, he could have been giving thanks to his grandparents who may have passed, it don’t know. More importantly, it doesn’t matter. |
