Middlesex NAACP: Fire Framingham Youth Football President Smith

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The South Middlesex branch of the NAACP has joined others in calling for Framimgham Youth Football President Jason Smith to be fired after a scandal involving coaches exchanging racist messages. Smith stepped down temporarily last week after firing the three coaches.

In a letter sent this week to Framingham Youth Football registrar Jacqui Goldberg, NAACP South Middlesex President William Robinson says that Smith "is as much a part of the problem as the offending coaches" because Smith knew about the racist messages in 2018.

"Moreover, we demand an immediate, independent and open investigation to be conducted by outside counsel. It is insufficient and unacceptable for FYFC to conduct an internal investigation, as too much has transpired for this matter to remain private," Robinson wrote in his letter.

The racist texts, which included use of the N-word, surfaced on Nov. 6. Smith fired the three coaches that day. He stepped down temporarily a day after that. Last Friday, Framingham City Councilor-elect Cesar Stewart-Morales called for Smith's firing.

The incident has incited many in Framingham to take action. Earlier this week, the Black Student Union at Framingham High School organized an effort to educate the community about how harmful racism and use of the "N-word" can be. Framingham residents started a petition to "deplore" racism. And this week a group called Framingham Stands United Against Hate formed.

Robinson concludes his letter with analogy about Framingham Youth Football, saying that only part of a "diseased growth" was removed when the three coaches were fired.

"There is clearly a diseased growth in FYFC, which was cut away with the firing of three coaches. However, disease remains in the body, and our children remain at risk. Jason Smith must be fired as part of the eradication. But so too should those who assisted in covering up or concealing the issues and those who knowingly remained silent while others inflicted harm. Speaking for those who are most vulnerable, which is our children, we demand action," he wrote.

Patch has reached out to Goldberg for comment. We will update this story if we hear back. The NAACP letter was also sent to several leaders of American Youth Football, the governing organization that oversees Framingham Youth Football.