A Georgia high school football coach was fired after he held baptisms for 20 of his players on school grounds last month, according to a report.
Tattnall County High School superintendents announced the firing of coach Isaac Ferrell after a video uploaded to the team’s official Facebook page showed a player being baptized in a tub by a local priest.
The footage shows Pastor Gary Few instructing the players individually to sit in a large tub of black water before saying to them, “I baptize you now, my brothers, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The priests then put their heads under the water as the surrounding players cheered in support.
The incident of Oct. 23. angered some members of the community, eventually causing someone to alert a group called The Freedom from Religion Foundation.
High school football coach Isaac Ferrell was fired after conducting a christening ceremony for his players after practice. Youtube
The foundation declares itself a “state/church watchdog that promotes the constitutional principle of separation of church and state,” according to their website.
They claim Ferrell has acted “abusing his position” and committed “constitutional violations,” according to an article on their website.
“We are writing to request that the District investigate this situation and ensure that this school-sponsored religious coercion ends immediately,” an attorney for the foundation, Chris Line, wrote to superintendent Kristen Waters on Nov. 1. “All coaches and staff should be instructed on their duties as public school employees.”
The pastor was seen holding the player’s head under the water while the surrounding players cheered in support. Facebook
“The district must refrain from infusing its football program with religion, and Coach Ferrell cannot be allowed to preach to student-athletes or allow local pastors to preach and baptize students,” Line added.
The superintendent, however, claimed Ferrell’s shooting stemmed from an isolated situation after a Nov. 3 football game rather than a baptism.
“Based on the results of the investigation into the incident that occurred on Friday night, November 3rd while traveling after the football game, the District has decided that it will seek a Head football coach who is aligned with the best interests of the students,” Waters announced.
Community members were shocked and upset with the head coach for asking a local priest to baptize the players. Facebook
“Regarding any other allegations, the District does not comment while the investigation is underway,” continued the statement.
Ferrell, who also teaches at the school, will still be able to keep his job in Tattnall County — but the investigation into the baptism service is ongoing, Waters said.
Several parents on the team supported Ferrell, a former Georgia Southern football player, and praised him for baptizing their son.
Superintendents announced Isaac Ferrell’s firing was the result of an isolated situation after a Nov. 3 football game — not a baptism. Facebook
One parent said she was “so proud” of her son, saying it was what her son “wanted to do.”
“I am very proud of him because he made that decision himself. I didn’t have to hold his hand, and he did it because he wanted to,” Latifa Johnson told News 3.
“It’s so sweet because you look at the boys and they look like they want it,” Johnson continued. “You know, like everyone seems excited, from what I can see. The same goes for thanking God. Yes yes yes I’m all for that.”
Others on Facebook seem to support the baptism service in question as well.
“The coach changes lives.. not just winning games!” one comment read.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about!!! Congratulations young man! You just made the best decision of your life! Hallelujah!!!! Glory be to God!!!!!” other replies read.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
