Coach no longer allowed to lead prayer at HS football games, district says

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — A volunteer coach at a north Georgia school district will no longer lead the football team in prayer after a group based in Wisconsin filed a complaint about it.

Students at Dawson County High School said the group based in several states should mind its own business.

"Just some people want to have to have a reason to fight when there's no fight to be had," student Madelin Maddux said.

A Facebook post of the recent locker room prayer led by a local pastor who is a volunteer with the football team made its way to the Freedom From Religion Foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin.

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"Public schools are not allowed to advance or promote religion. Bringing in a coach to pray with the team in the locker room is a serious constitutional violation," foundation member Chris Line said.

Line said the pastor-led prayer in the locker room violates the students' rights.

Channel 2's Berndt Petersen contacted the district superintendent who sent the following statement:

"The School District became aware on Friday of a letter sent to the attorney for the District by the Freedom from Religion Foundation and apparently also mailed directly to local news media. After reviewing the information provided and conversations with appropriate school officials, the District is committed to following the parameters set forth in the First Amendment, and the court decisions interpreting the First Amendment, relating to both the establishment of religion and student’s rights to exercise their freedom of religion. We believe that our coaches have an understanding of those guidelines and will abide by them."

But students Petersen spoke with said it shouldn't be necessary.

"I definitely don't agree with the people who are complaining against it. It's a personal thing. If the football players didn't want to pray, no one is forcing them," student Liz Vivar said.

At last week's game, students led the prayer. The Freedom From Religion Foundation said that does not break the law.

Cox Media Group