By Warren Kulo
A Georgia high school football coach has been removed from his coaching position after a video was posted to the team’s Facebook page showing multiple players being baptized after practice.
According to WTOC, Tattnall County High School coach Isaac Ferrell was removed from his position after a video was posted to the Tattnall County Football Facebook page showing what appears to be a number of players being baptized by a local pastor.
“Yesterday after practice, Coach Ferrell gave the guys the opportunity to be baptized by Pastor Few,” read the caption which accompanied the video. “20 young men made the decision to go #ALLIN with Christ!! Show them support.”
The video was posted on Oct. 24. On Nov. 6, the Freedom From Religion Foundation notified the school district that holding a religious ceremony is unconstitutional.
“The district must refrain from infusing its football program with religion, and coach Ferrell cannot be allowed to preach to student athletes or allow a local pastor to preach to and baptize students,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote in a letter to Tattnall County superintendent Kristen Waters.
The FFRF also noted that, although participating in the baptisms may have been voluntary, players may have felt pressured to abide with their coach’s wishes.
The school district, however, claims Ferrell was not removed as football coach over the baptisms, but rather an undisclosed incident following a game on Nov. 3.
“The safety and security of our students is paramount to Tattnall County Board of Education,” Waters said in a statement. “Based on the outcome of an investigation into an incident that occurred Friday night, November 3rd while traveling after the football game, the District decided that it would seek a Head football coach that aligned with the best interests of the students of Tattnall County for the 2024-2025 school year.”
Waters, however, told WTOC there is an ongoing investigation into the football baptisms.
Ferrell, although removed as football coach, remains on the Tattnall County High School staff as a teacher, according to the school website.
