Georgia bulldogs coach has dismissed, because of the….
Georgia football coach fired following players’ widespread baptism
After a video of many players getting baptised after practice was uploaded to the team’s Facebook page, the high school football coach in Georgia lost his job.
Isaac Ferrell, the coach of Tattnall County High School, reportedly lost his job after a video appeared on the Tattnall County Football Facebook page that purportedly showed several players being baptised by a nearby minister.
The caption for the video said, “Coach Ferrell gave the guys the chance to be baptised by Pastor Few yesterday after practice.” Twenty young men choose to follow Christ and go #ALLIN! Offer them assistance.
The video went live on October 24. The Freedom From Religion Foundation informed the school system on November 6 that it is unlawful to have a religious service.
In a letter to Tattnall County superintendent Kristen Waters, FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line stated, “The district must refrain from infusing its football programme with religion, and coach Ferrell cannot be allowed to preach to student athletes or allow a local pastor to preach to and baptise students.
The FFRF also pointed out that players might have felt under pressure to follow their coach’s instructions, even if taking part in the baptisms was optional.
But according to the school administration, Ferrell’s dismissal as football coach had less to do with the baptisms than it did with an unreported event that happened after a Nov. 3 game.
The Tattnall County Board of Education places the utmost importance on the safety and security of its children, according to a statement from Waters. “After conducting an inquiry into an event that happened on Friday, November 3rd, while travelling following the football game, the District made the decision to hire a head football coach who would be in the best interests of Tattnall County students for the 2024–2025 academic year.”
Waters did, however, inform WTOC that the football baptisms are still being looked at.
According to the school website, Ferrell is still employed at Tattnall County High School as a teacher while no longer serving as the football coach.
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A few weeks after receiving backlash for baptising several of his players on school property, a Georgia high school football coach was dismissed.
This week, Superintendent Kristen Waters announced that the coach’s termination from Tattnall County High School was due to an incident that occurred during a game on November 3, not the baptism. She didn’t elaborate further.
The Tattnall County Board of Education places a high priority on the safety and security of its children, according to a statement sent by Waters to Savannah’s NBC affiliate WSAV. “Based on the outcome of an investigation into an incident that occurred Friday night, November 3rd while travelling after the football game, the District decided that it would seek a Head football coach that aligned with the best interests of the students.
The District does not comment on any further complaints while investigations are still underway, according to the statement.
Although WSAV named the coach as Isaac Ferrell, Waters did not mention his name in her statement. On Thursday, Ferrell could not be reached for comment right away.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation had censured Ferrell just a few weeks prior to his termination for allowing a clergyman to baptise players on school property following a practice on 23 October.
The preacher gave a football player instructions to sit in a big tub of water in a video that was posted on the team’s Facebook page.
The pastor added, “I baptise you now, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” before submerging the athlete.
According to the Facebook post, a total of 20 players came up to get baptised.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group that describes itself as a “state/church watchdog,” charged Ferrell with “abusing his position” and stated that a worried member of the public notified it of the baptism.
In a letter to Waters, Chris Line, a staff attorney for the foundation, said that the baptism was a “constitutional violation” and that Ferrell shouldn’t be permitted to perform baptisms or deliver sermons to pupils. Line stated that the district must “avoid introducing religious elements into its football programme.
The letter dated Nov. 1 stated, “We write to request that the District look into this matter and make sure that this school-sponsored religious coercion ends immediately.” “All coaches and staff should be instructed regarding their obligations as public school employees.”
A parent expressed her happiness to WSAV on her son’s baptismal participation.
Latifa Johnson remarked, “I was so proud of him because he made the decision on his own.” “I didn’t have to hold his hand, and he did it because he wanted to do it.”
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