Football Coach Can't Lead Team in Prayer: Superintendent

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville Central High School football coach Mike Stine is no longer allowed to lead his team in prayers after the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint against the school.

Photos of football players kneeling appearing to be in prayer were sent to the foundation, who filed a complaint against Naperville Unit District 203.

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The Daily Herald reports that Superintendent Dan Bridges said in a statement that the district is “aware that a coach-led prayer is not appropriate. The head football coach has been instructed that neither he nor his staff may lead his players in prayer. This message has been communicated to the athletic directors at both high schools to ensure that this expectation is shared with coaches of all sports at all levels.”

The complaint claimed that prayers at football games are in violation of separation of church and state.

“When a public school employee acting in an official capacity organizes and advocates for team prayer, he effectively endorses religion on the district’s behalf,” Freedom From Religion Foundation officials Ryan D. Jayne and Diane Uhl wrote in the letter, according to the Tribune.

The photographs were taken by local photographer and Naperville Central graduate David Neesley, who told the Tribune he did not send the photos to the FFRF.

Neesley said that he just likes to “document stuff” and the photos of the players were “part of the game, and just one of those private moments,” he told the Tribune.

more via the Daily Herald