In this business this happens. Higher wind gusts possible. A high school football coach and six assistant coaches have been fired after they allegedly forced a player to eat pork against his religious beliefs. His statements were supported by five football players who attended the school board meeting in support of the eight coaches. A Jewish high school football player in Ohio was allegedly forced by his coach to eat pork a violation of his religious beliefs as a form of punishment. The district had suspended the coaches last week after the 17-year-old player reported what happened to him on May 24. "We're sorry to see him go.". In response, Kennedy sought representation from First Liberty Institute, alegal organization exclusively dedicated to defending religious liberty, and asked the school to make a religious accommodation according to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 600 W Highland Blvd, Inverness, FL 34452. Citrus High School football player dies after collapsing at practice. The teens attorney, Ed Gilbert, said the player skipped a voluntary workout four days earlier before the incident while nursing a sore shoulder. Panio said he was not aware of any instances when DiCarlo had been warned or reprimanded for his language or any other behavior by administrators this season or in past years. Kennedy, a devout Christian who began working at Bremerton High School in 2008, was fired from his role asvarsity assistant coach and as the junior varsity head coach after he refused to quit praying on the 50 yard line in full view of the public following games. It turns out that the school also is not listed on the Ohio Athletic Associations directory of schools, but reportedly is part of the Texas Christian Athletic League. I heard that Coach OB was not allowed to have any interaction with our kids at this point. First published on March 25, 2021 / 7:51 AM. His winning record and reputation as a fair disciplinarian with high moral standards has many people wondering why he was fired. "The fact that members of our school community used such offensive language, including anti-Semitic language, is horrifying and disappointing.". "There's more to it than wins and losses.". racist or sexually-oriented language. A Citrus High School student-athlete who collapsed Tuesday, Sept. 28, during football practice and was rushed to Citrus Memorial Hospital died, according to a Citrus County School District Facebook post late Tuesday night. Part of HuffPost News. FaithPoliticsCivil Rights Act of 1964First AmendmentFirst Liberty InstituteFree Exercise Clausefree speechjoe kennedyOn the Hillreligious libertySupreme CourtTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The district also used the First Amendment to justify its argument, claiming that Kennedys prayers in view of the public and students following a school sanctioned event violate the Establishment Clause because his actions could be perceived as a district endorsement of religion. The Supreme Court appears poised to rule in favor of a high school football coach suspended over his on-field prayers following games. Low 66F. Every player is trying to get on the good side of the coach and every parent is worried about the coach exercising favoritism in terms of the starting line-up, playing time, recommendations for colleges, said Kavanaugh, who has previously used his position on the high court bench to express empathy for the concerns of student athletes. OBrien turned in his resignation Monday after helping lead the Hurricanes to a 9-1 regular season and an almost certain first playoff berth since 2013. Most Facebook users can now claim settlement money. However, the attorney arguing on behalf of the school district Richard Katskee of Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the school system had other reasons for acting in connection with Kennedys prayers, including concerns about students feeling coerced and even about safety after spectators rushed the field after one game, with some students being knocked to the ground. We are grateful the Supreme Court has agreed to review Coach Kennedys case. Bishop Sycamore, the unknown Ohio-based online school that talked its way into a nationally televised football drubbing Sunday on ESPN, has fired head coach Roy Johnson. As a result, one could assume that citizens want to have a good football team to watch on Friday nights. Share with Us. Trestan said he was told by Antonucci that the words "rabbi" and "dreidel" were also used in Duxbury's March 12 game against Plymouth North. A decision about subsequent games will be made later, CBS Boston reports. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The case has taken several years since 2015 to be accepted by the highest court in the United States, and will require the justices to look at three parts of the First Amendment and how they pertain to public employees. Citrus athletic director Larry Bishop said on Wednesday that he had heard about the petition but hadnt had an opportunity to review it. 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Updated: Sep 29, 2021 / 04:45 PM EDT. Web50-9 (L) Citrus @ River Ridge On 10/21, the Citrus varsity football team lost their away conference game against River Ridge (New Port Richey, FL) by a score of 50-9. Joe Kennedy, a former assistant football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Wash., poses for a photo March 9, 2022, at the school's football field. Justices denied Kennedys initial petition in 2019 because he was unable to prove that his prayer ritual was the basis for the schools decision to suspend him. Thats a real thing out there.. There was adversity after adversity, once one thing was under control something else pops up. The teen died Tuesday, after collapsing during football practice. A suburban high school football coach in Massachusetts was fired after an opponent reported his team for using the name of a Nazi concentration camp in its After previously coaching at Crystal River for three seasons, Varnadore was hired at Citrus two years ago. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that he has requested the Department of Education to open an investigation into the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore. CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A student-athlete inCitrus Countypassed away after collapsing during football practice, the school district said in a Facebook post Tuesday night. We have been in contact with the students family and convey our heartfelt sympathy and support as they deal with this tragic loss, the post said. If that's true I give the man kudos for resigning rather than giving in. Its just a different job title. Citrus 9 Use the 'Report' link on However, when the word got out that coach OBrien was no longer apart of the Citrus High School football program, the question that no one was able to find the answer to was, why?, "Ultimately, Citrus County hasnt seen this good of a program in years, and once our team finally starts to succeed and climb up the rankings, it is all stripped away for a reason that is unknown to most. The teen would have been subjected to additional drills and his status on the team might have been jeopardized if he had not followed Wattleys order, Gilbert said. Both junior varsity and varsity football games have been cancelled for this week. You can follow her onTwitter. Struggling to understand Gods plan in this tragedy caused me to do a lot of prayer and reflection about what it is God wants me to do. This may be a case about facts and not really much about law, Breyer said. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Threats of harming another "It's deeply hurtful to the Jewish community to learn that the plays somehow connect to the Holocaust and Judaism," Trestan said. U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor appears before an audience on April 5, 2022, at Washington University in St. Louis. Be Proactive. To be honest, if that was the standard, I should've been fired.". "I think I reacted with confidence in this difficult situation," Cline said. Kennedy, a devout Christian who began working at Bremerton High School in 2008, was fired from his role as varsity assistant coach and as the junior varsity head No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism We have suffered a great loss (tonight) and the pain we all feel is immeasurable, the post said. I want to continue to do that. Higher wind gusts possible.. There had been crowds that come from all over just to watch the Hurricanes play. Contact Chronicle sports reporter Chris Bernhardt at 352-563-5660, chris.bernhardt@chronicleonline.com or on twitter @cpbernhardtjr. Panio did not deny that DiCarlo used profanity but said Eastchester's sideline was no different than any other. They're saying that he's the best they've ever had, not just in coaching but in curriculum and in working with the office staff because he's athletic coordinator.". previously used his position on the high court bench to express empathy for the concerns of student athletes, Twenty-four conservative state attorneys general. They did their best considering what theyve been through this year.. person will not be tolerated. Maimaron had released a statement this week in which he apologized. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Principal Ed Staten offered Cline the chance to resign the position he has held for two years, but Cline refused. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. The districts crisis team was at Citrus High School on Wednesday and will be at the school throughout the rest of the week to provide counseling, assistance and support as needed. I am extremely grateful that the Supreme Court is going to hear my case and pray that I will soon be able to be back on the field coaching the game and players I love. Bishop Sycamore also is scheduled to play big-time programs Duncanville (Kentucky) and St. Thomas More (Connecticut) this season. DiCarlo first met with the district's independent investigator two days prior to that game. Duxbury in recent years has been one of the state's most successful teams, with five state championships since 2005. They want a good environment and they want the home team to win. The district has also hired Edward Mitnick of Just Training Solutions LLC to assist in the investigation. Pattakos and the students said the player could have left at any time, adding that Wattley offered the teen chicken nuggets instead of the pizza after the player said he did not eat pork. From what weve seen so far, this is not a fair fight, and theres got to be a point where youre worried about health and safety.. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play. However, we are still in the middle of an active investigation and it is important that we get accurate information and facts in this case," the statement said. Hesaid: Six years away from the football field has been far too long. It found the coach had been negative toward athletes, berated them and used profanity in their presence. Pick No. Still, Varnadore was credited with turning around a team that had gone a combined 4-15 the previous two seasons. What to know about bank failures, Womans Medicare cut off after gov. While Clement said the record is clear that Coach Kennedy was fired, the schools attorneys contend that the coach was placed on paid leave and never applied to renew his one-year contract. Ultimately, Kennedy is asking the Court to decide whether a public school employee who says a brief, quiet prayer by himself while at school and visible to students is engaged in government speech that lacks First Amendment protections, and whether the Establishment clause compels public schools to prohibit it.. The former Crystal River and now Hurricanes head coach plans to go into the ministry to serve the local community in a different way. What do I do with the fact that parents complained that their children wouldnt follow their directives? Sotomayor asked. Mainly clear skies. With the same vote, the board also deemed three other assistant football coaches as ineligible for future coaching positions. Cline has been a coach for 17 years, including seven seasons at Seminole-Osceola before coming to Citrus High. The insensitive words weren't directed at the opposing team or at a particular player, Antonucci said. With that said, my life was forever changed after receiving word of the passing of one of our players, Alec McMurray. "When someone says 'Auschwitz,' I don't think these young people understand how harmful and hurtful that is to people that are Jewish.". He was allowed to remove the pepperoni and some of the cheese, but pork residue remained, Gilbert said. Updated: 04/25/2022 09:42 PM EDT. However, he declined to provide details of what happened and said the video would not be publicly released due to federal student privacy regulations. "I don't know how a coach would allow this to happen. Several high school football coaches in Ohio were ousted after a 17-year-old said he was forced to eat pork in violation of his religious beliefs. Higher wind gusts possible.. Cline was 10-1 and 7-4 in two seasons with the Hurricanes. You look at IMG and this is the most talented prep team in the country, ESPN announcer Anish Shroff said during the second quarter of Sundays game. Be Nice. Indications that Cline's job as head football coach was in danger was reported Friday in the Times. Be Truthful. Unfortunately for principals and athletic directors, the task of firing an individual comes with the job description. Leavell wrote: You many continue to provide motivational, inspirational talks to students before, during and after games and other team activity, focusing on appropriate themes such as unity, teamwork, responsibility, safety, endeavor and the like that have long characterized your very positive and beneficial talks with students. "I've got a lot of respect for him as a coach," Bramlett said. Bishop Sycamore, the unknown Ohio-based online school that talked its way into a nationally televised football drubbing Sunday on ESPN, has fired head A majority of the justices seemed to signal Monday that the districts worries on that front were overstated. Could rocket fuel soon be produced in Polk County? If someone comes up and says thats part of my religion, could the school say no to them? she asked, prompting several justices to pile on, adding more hypotheticals during the arguments, which extended for almost 50 minutes beyond the allotted one hour. According to an April 18 update from the city, 33 permits were granted in 2022, marking a 250% increase compared to the previous year and more than a 600% increase since 2017. Please enter valid email address to continue. Ive seen that, done that. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Anything that was spoken of coach OBrien was uplifting to his name and reputation. The unedited text of the petition reads, "For the first time in years the CHS Hurricanes have had a spectacular football season all thanks to coach Robert OBrian. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. "Coach OBrien was a very inspirational coach with high hopes for the Citrus High School football program. Wake up to the day's most important news. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week. - Staff writer Barbara Behrendt contributed to this report. Massachusetts high school football is being played in the spring this year because the coronavirus pandemic caused postponement of the fall season. Mainly clear skies. Webcitrus high school information 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452 - (352) 726-2241 - Guidance office fax: [352] 249-2101 office Fax: (352) 249-2102 Principal: Mark Cline said he is open to any opportunity, either as an assistant within Citrus County or a head coach elsewhere, as long as his family was stable. Will DeSantis have to resign to run for president? This is the second time the case, which could have implications for teachers and other public employees First Amendment rights to religious expression while on the job, has been appealed to the high court. Dave Maimaron, the Duxbury High School head coach, was fired over players use of anti-Semitic terms as play calls. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Youre requiring a lot of this school board to try to figure out exactly which box in the Establishment Clause to put this in, Kagan told Kennedys lawyer, Paul Clement. The student, identified as 16-year-old Antonio Elijah Hicks, was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on Tuesday, Sept. 28. There was a problem saving your notification. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. I was told coach benched a player who has family with influence over the board of Ed, and he was basically being strong armed into letting the kid play or being terminated. I was very impressed with him stepping in and getting the program back on its feet., Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week. Principal Laura Mason released a statement on Twitter. CITRUS COUNTY, fla A Citrus County high school student is dead after collapsing during football practice, according to the school district. DeSantis and King George III have in common | Column, Pasco motorcyclist: I couldnt live with myself knowing what I had done, Palm Harbor delicatessen collects hundreds of bikes for underprivileged kids, Florida adds 6,659 coronavirus cases, 98 deaths Monday, Florida adds 7,363 coronavirus cases, 59 deaths Sunday. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Be Nice. accounts, the history behind an article. Why take that from our kids?[sad]. The affluent coastal community about 30 miles south of Boston has nearly 16,000 residents, according to the Census Bureau. We'd love to hear eyewitness Ill be around. School officials and people involved with the school reacted to the dismissal with confusion and disbelief Wednesday. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. All of his hard work had payed off extremely well with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss. Then out of nowhere he gets let go. We've received your submission. "Now, I expect that to be the standard for the entire school going forward. Associated Press. Several members of the Citrus High community - students, faculty members and boosters - contacted Wednesday afternoon said that they were reluctant to comment on Cline's dismissal for fear of possible repercussions. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Don't Threaten. "Based on information given to me by Mr. Staten as to valid reasons or justification, I made a decision (Wednesday) morning not to resign. This will allow me to serve. ,Crystal River,FL, 8021 W Gulf To Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429, 1250 N Vantage Point DR, Crystal River, FL 34429, 631 N. 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He will remain on staff as a teacher and continue his duties as athletic director, at Staten's request, until a replacement is found or he finds a coaching position elsewhere. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.