A Tennessee school board banned coaches and teachers from leading the team in prayer after high school football games…..so the team decided to lead the prayer themselves.
Earlier this month Putnam County School administrators issued a memo banning teachers and coaches from leading prayer following a complaint from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The anti-religious freedom group complained about prayers that followed games at Cookeville and Upperman high schools.
In a statement to a local news outlet, administrators added: “As a district, we absolutely understand the importance of prayer in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff members. We support the right of students to participate in and lead spontaneous prayers. That right is and will continue to be protected.”
But, the board added, “We also understand that faculty and staff members can not lead or participate in the spontaneous student-led prayers.”
The new anti-prayer rule sparked immediate outrage in the community and prompted parents to organize a show of support following Upperman’s game against Stone Memorial.
One parent, Dustin Whitefield, wrote to WZTV — “It has always been optional for players to pray, and has been a voluntary event. Players that still want to pray will have to do it on their own.”
After the game, scores of parents and fans gathered on the field and surrounded a large group of players from both teams. According to WZTV, several courageous players stepped up to lead the parents and fans in corporate prayer.