"It's a sad deal. I think it's a travesty. Those kids work hard," says K.C. Hayes, the boy's father.
"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" K.C. Hayes said.
The call to disqualify the team was made by a judge with the University Interscholastic League or UIL, which enforces the rules for high school athletics.
"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.
The UIL said that there is no rule that prohibits religious expression, and they stated that the disqualification was for "unsporting conduct."
"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 says.
"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.
Many see the team's god gesture disqualification as a violation of religious freedom. Some have expressed their concerns to the state, however, they seem to be standing by the UIL's decision.
You don't need a 50 cent ribbon made in China to let you know you’re a winner.
ReplyDelete@Ed Sales:
ReplyDeleteHOW RIGHT YOU ARE! THE TEAM SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
GO ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL, AND TO BE ABLE TO WIN
THE CHAMPIONSHIP!
IT JUST SHOWS THAT THEY ARE THE REAL WINNERS!
The "TEAM WAS GIVING *GOD* ALL THE GLORY FOR GIVING
THEM THE ABILITY, TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT THEY DID"!
PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS DO THAT
SORT OF GESTURE ALL OF THE THE TIME! WHICH IS IN THE FIELD OF PLAY ALL THE TIME, WHETHER IT BE ON THE
FIELD OR THE ENDZONE!
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL, IN MY BOOK YOU ARE THE
*CHAMPIONS OF THE REGIONAL MEET*! YOU HAVE NOTHING
TO BE ASHAMED OF FOR GIVING *GOD* THE GLORY FOR
THE ABILITY THAT HE ALONE GAVE YOU!
and we wonder why the world we live in 'sucks' being so backwards, unmerciful & apathetic. however, we value and actively seek-out ways of being further removed from God. as the age old adage says, 'be careful of what you wish for, because you may get it.'
ReplyDelete