The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has set its sights on Oak Grove High School head football coach Chris Musso, accusing him of infusing the team with religion.
The team has a mural in the locker room that reads, “GOD TEAM ME,” they have hoodies with Proverbs 27:17 on them. Team members are also allowed to join the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. FFRF is known nationwide to go after school systems, teachers and coaches who share their faith or pray with students.
The Wisconsin-based group asked the Jefferson County School District to step in and stop Musso.
“Jefferson County Schools must ensure that this school-sponsored religious coercion ends immediately,” FFRF wrote to 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,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said. “Religious coercion in sports programs unfortunately is all-too-frequent — and these violations against freedom of conscience need to be curbed.”
Gonsoulin said the BOE supports prayer and religious expression.
“We have received the letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and we are reviewing it,” Gonsoulin said. “However, the Jefferson County Board of Education 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.”
There is a call to organize a rally supporting Musso after football players said he never forced anything on the students. They said he allows them to express their religion and has greatly influenced their lives.
1819 News has reached out to Gonsoulin for comment.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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