Pace Footballer Benched Over Confederate Flag-Draped, Nazi Salute Photo

PHOTO/courtesy Pace Chronicle

Editor’s Note: We bring back this previously published article in case you missed it.

A Pace University football player was removed as captain and benched after a controversial photo of a Pace University football player draped in the Confederate battle flag and performing a Nazi salute surfaced in the media and on campus.

Pace University President Stephen Friedman wrote a letter to the university community Sept. 8 expressing concern about the photo.

An investigation into the circumstances of the photo of Tyler Owens is being conducted, he said.

“The student involved is no longer serving as a captain of the team. He will not participate in University football activities pending the outcome of the investigation,” Friedman wrote.

The photo was first reported on News 12, according to the Pace (University) Chronicle. What the Pace Chronicle called an “alleged group of African-American students and athletes” then sent the student newspaper a copy. The paper also reports competing accounts of the age and origin of the photo.

The Pace Chronicle is conducting a poll. As of Sept. 10, 58 percent of respondents said they thought the photo was just a joke.

See the Pace Chronicle’s extensive coverage here.

Here’s the full letter from Friedman:

Dear Pace Community,

A photo of a Pace University senior who is also a captain of the football team recently appeared on the social media platform Snapchat and in news segments aired by Westchester broadcast media. The photo depicts the student draped in a Confederate battle flag and giving what appears to be a Nazi salute. An investigation of the circumstances surrounding the taking of the photo and its appearance on social media is being conducted immediately.

The photograph is highly offensive and contrary to the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and embracing the ethnic and cultural differences among students, faculty, and staff that are deeply held at Pace University and its Athletics Department. That is especially true at this time when states throughout the country are recognizing the symbolic offensiveness of displaying the Confederate flag and the importance of accepting those with different backgrounds is being sorely tested by the refugee crisis in Europe.

The student involved is no longer serving as a captain of the team. He will not participate in University football activities pending the outcome of the investigation.

Pace University does not tolerate improper discrimination of any kind, and anyone who feels that they have been discriminated against is advised to report the allegation to Lisa Miles, Pace’s Title IX Coordinator/Affirmative Action Officer.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Programs at Pace educates students to identify and challenge bigotry and discrimination. Staff members from the Counseling Center and Student Affairs are also available for any students who wish to share their thoughts, voice concerns, or offer suggestions as we continue to work together to create an inclusive campus community.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen J. Friedman

President

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