The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Oak Grove High School in protest of Oak Grove’s motto surrounding its football team, “God, Team, Me.”
The motto, according to AL.com, is displayed prominently in the team’s locker room and its own team shirts as well as a separate bible verse being included on the team’s playoff hoodies in 2023.
The group, based out of Madison, Wisconsin, accused the 4A school and its coach Chris Musso of promoting his personal religious beliefs through football, and called for the district to remove the motto from the school, as they are notorious for doing.
‘Religious coercion’ and ‘religious indoctrination’ are among the accusations from the group in the letter to district Superintendent Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr.
“The district must see to it that players are not being required to pray to play or otherwise expected to wear clothing with religious slogans or walk past religious signage,” the co-president of Freedom From Religion said.
“Religious coercion in sports programs unfortunately is all-too-frequent — and these violations against freedom of conscience need to be curbed”
In a written statement, Superintendent Gonsoulin said the school has received the letter and is reviewing it — but that Oak Grove is “on record as fully supporting the right of its students and all members of the education community to pray and engage in voluntary religious expression in school settings.”
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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