You were a chaplain, eh? Huh.
Posted on 05/03/2013 2:14:35 AM PDT by markomalley
Some people are outraged after a high school track team is disqualified from competing in state finals because one runner made a religious gesture. In just a few seconds the boys Columbus High School 4 X 100 relay team went from winning the regional meet, heading to state championships to having it all stripped away. How did the "W" so quickly become "DQ"? Well. when the anchor of the relay team crossed the finish line, he won the race, raised his finger to the sky and that gesture caused the winning regional's relay team to be disqualified.
"It's a sad deal. I think it's a travesty. Those kids work hard," says K.C. Hayes. Hayes' son Derrick Hayes is the runner who won the race then pointed to God, turning a once in a lifetime opportunity into a huge heartbreak that will likely last his lifetime. "As a team they reached their goal and in an instant it was just gone, over something we think is a non-issue. I guess someone else thinks it is an issue. He just said dad I was pointing at the heavens" says K.C. Hayes.
A judge with the University Interscholastic League or UIL, which enforces the rules for high school athletics, was there at the meet in Kingsville and made the call to disqualify the four member relay team. "For those kids the work they put in, what are we teaching them? Ok you're going to sacrifice, work hard and do everything it takes and ok it's just ripped away," says Hayes.
"It's a harsh consequence for what some people may deem a small gesture. The rule states no celebratory gestures including raising your arms," explains Columbus I.S.D. Superintendent Robert O'Connor. According to the UIL the relay team was disqualified for "unsporting conduct". The UIL also points out, it does not have a rule prohibiting religious expression. "You can do whatever you want to in terms of prayer, kneeling or whatever you want to once you get out of the competition area. You just can't do it in the competition area. It goes back to the taunting rule. I can't taunt my opponent," O'Connor explains.
"It's not a malicious act. It's not a taunting act. It's a 'we did it' and he (my son) knows where the source comes from. I know him. He's not a malicious kid. On the football field he'll hit you and then help you up," Hayes says.
"It's heartbreaking," says O'Connor. Superintendent O'Connor says since Saturday's track meet and the disqualification he has received a number of nasty emails. One read 'Dear sir, you, are an idiot'. O'Connor wants to stress this is not his decision. This is coming from the UIL. In fact, the district protested the disqualification but the UIL is not changing the decision.
Had he given the one finger salute to God all would be okay.
Exactly.
All sports rules should require the winners to apologize profusely to the losers. We don’t want them to feel bad about themselves. In fact, why keep score or time at all? Let everyone win and collect trophies!
All he had to do was trot off the track and he could have done back flips. People especially the young must learn self control.
“Rules are rules” is one of the most ignorant things I have seen on FR in a long time. That attitude leads right to the “showers”.
“For those kids the work they put in, what are we teaching them? Ok you’re going to sacrifice, work hard and do everything it takes and ok it’s just ripped away,”
It’s a good thing that they learned this lesson young. It is the way of the new Amerika. The hard workers, the diligent, the savers, the planners and the most productive are to be demonized and must have their wealth redistributed. It is all about “fairness” now.
Amen.
You seem to have picked up on their strategy:
“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers — and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s the system.”
Quote by: Ayn Rand
(1905-1982) Author
Source: “Atlas Shrugged”, Part II, Chapter 3
I know about bans on “celebratory gestures” such as when scoring a touchdown for example. But just holding up a finger? Really, where do you draw the line? And it was specifically referred to as a “religious gesture”, not a celebratory one.
The rule says arms, from what I read he raised one arm.
You were a chaplain, eh? Huh.
Unfortunately, yes.
Okay, lets have no rules we don’t like!
The father even admits that it was a "we did it" gesture. The fact that his ignorant son thinks his imaginary friend wants him to win a race more than to feed starving people around the world is another matter entirely.Anyone who doubts this is about contempt for religion should read those comments.
Sorry, we disagree, I guess. My feelings aren’t all that strong, but as soon as you start allowing “discretion” in what is too much, problems will arise. I wasn’t there, so I can’t say what actually happened. But line drawing is tough, so I support the rule, as long as everyone knows ahead of time what the rule is.
This was a news item here in Austin on KLBJ. There was one caller who was at the meet and the anchor leg runner folded his arm at the elbow. He had his finger next to his ear like he meant "We're number one" after he crossed the finish line.
As you know, end zone celebrations are allowed in the NFL. In fact, stupid celebrations after every frick-frackle tackle are allowed.
Of course flashing gang signs is probably perfectly ok.
Agreed. I feel like that most of the time. I pray it influences the Lord to return quickly.
Had I been the coach of the losing team, I would refuse to accept the “win” under these circumstances.
Cheating, ineligibility, rule-breaking by the other side... sure. DQ them and I’d take the win by default.
But this? Hell no. I’d tell the UIL to go find some other losers to give this “win” to. I will not accept it.
I’d probably get fired, but at least I would have my dignity.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.