High School Player Flagged For Touchdown Nod to God

[Billnew]

High School Player Flagged For Touchdown Nod to God - FoxNews.com

He was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a 15 yard penalty—the same amount of yards a lineman would receive after steamrolling a quarterback well after a play.

I would sue the school or the sports organization. Yes, take money from education.
Kneeling and pointing to the sky is unsportsman like conduct?

What do they think god is giving this kid the advantage?

If he called for everyone to pray, then I support his being punished.

He has the right to freedom of religion as long as it does not interfere with the game. No one is harmed by this action.

This is not a fault with the ref's. They are following the rules as they know them. Its whoever made this stupid rules fault.

If I was the family, I would ask every player on the team to kneel and pray with the person that scored the touchdown.
I would ask every christian that plays to join in, even to the point of delaying the game. What would the refs do, if 75% of both teams prayed?
No goverment organized prayer, but no restrictions on personal religious freedom.
Schools need to figure out what is legal and what isn't.
It isn't that hard.

 

[Paulos23]

He was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a 15 yard penalty—the same amount of yards a lineman would receive after steamrolling a quarterback well after a play.

It is more like if a player spiked the ball or did a dance after a touchdown. I don't think they objected to him praying, only for making a spectacle of it.

 

[Drekkan85]

Indeed. I personally think that this, like in the NFL, is fairly ridiculous because I think football should be a game of fun and emotion. But the point is to keep the game focused on the game, and not on the players. I'd be willing to be that, as part of this celebration rule (if it was copied from the NFL), player's are prevented from "going to the ground" as part of their celebration.

If that's the case, then making an exception for praying actually would be the potential violation - then you're banning atheist students from going to the ground for their own purpose, but making a special exception for the religious to do so.

It's also worth noting that if he had stayed upright and pointed his finger up in the air he almost certainly wouldn't have been flagged.

Oh, and didn't Jesus have something to say about praying in public and making demonstrations about your own piety in public?

 

[Marek]

 

[I <3 Abraham]

quote from the article:

"It's just something I do every time I get in the end zone,&#8221; said Ronnie Hastie, a Tumwater High School running back. &#8220;To honor my Lord because I play for him. I give him the glory because he's the one that gives me the strength."
Although Hastie&#8217;s strength may be divine, high school referees are apparently not.
He was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, a 15 yard penalty&#8212;the same amount of yards a lineman would receive after steamrolling a quarterback well after a play.
He apparently broke a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rule that bans players from drawing attention to themselves.

emphasis mine

I, for one, think that all this pointing to the sky after some sports achievement is lousy religion. If you truly want to give thanks to God, say "thank you God" quietly. If you can only express this feeling by falling to one knee and pointing at the sky (which, I guess, is where God is?), do it on the sidelines during the kickoff. Don't draw attention to how faithful you are at the one moment when it is CERTAIN that all eyes will be on you. That is showboating, plain and simple.

There is a rule in that area against showboating in high-school football games. Christians shouldn't expect any special privileges to showboat just because they dress it up in their faith.

 

[Nathan Poe]

So it looks like (Surprise!) the player wasn't penalized for praying, but for violating a rule against excessive celebration.

Without actually seeing footage, I'm not going to judge whether or not it was a bad call.

That being said, it's still a stupid rule, but there's hardly a need to throw more fuel on the persecution complex.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

The rule is stupid, football is going way too far overboard in trying to ban celebration of touchdowns. It's in all levels but taken to the biggest extreme in high school. If its the rule, Christians don't get special treatment and an exception. But the rule should be changed just because it's a silly rule.

 

[blueapplepaste]

I, too, would like to see a video before making any decision.

 

[I <3 Abraham]

Am I the only person who thinks that high school sports should teach the children something? In the case of team sports, the lessons include teamwork and self discipline and sportsmanship.

Sure, in the pros and even to some extent at the college level, the goal is all about making money so if fans like players prancing around like fools it serves the purpose of making money. But high school ball should have a high standard for sportsmanship and a VERY low tolerance for showboating. It's about building character. If you like the "me me me" attitude of pro sports players, by all means let the high school kids do whatever they want with no rules about good personal conduct.

In this case, the team got penalized 15 yards because the kid broke a rule. It probably didn't effect the result of the game in terms of a win or a loss, but if it HAD done so, all the better. It would teach him and his whole team that when you score a touchdown or hite a homerun or sink a threepointer, you put your head down and move on to the next play. It is called sportsmanship, and we should teach it.

 

[keith99]

I, too, would like to see a video before making any decision.

As would I.

I'd like to point out that it is common for college players to cross themself after a touchdown. Some do it so fast and with so little fanfare that it is completely unnoticed. But watch for a weekend, pay attention and yuo will notice.

But done in such a manner it obviously does not call attention to the player or taunt his opponents.

 

[Drekkan85]

Am I the only person who thinks that high school sports should teach the children something? In the case of team sports, the lessons include teamwork and self discipline and sportsmanship.

Sure, in the pros and even to some extent at the college level, the goal is all about making money so if fans like players prancing around like fools it serves the purpose of making money. But high school ball should have a high standard for sportsmanship and a VERY low tolerance for showboating. It's about building character. If you like the "me me me" attitude of pro sports players, by all means let the high school kids do whatever they want with no rules about good personal conduct.

In this case, the team got penalized 15 yards because the kid broke a rule. It probably didn't effect the result of the game in terms of a win or a loss, but if it HAD done so, all the better. It would teach him and his whole team that when you score a touchdown or hite a homerun or sink a threepointer, you put your head down and move on to the next play. It is called sportsmanship, and we should teach it.

The article says it didn't effect the game - the guy's team still won like 67-23.

Which actually goes into another question. If this kid's coach can't be bothered to practice sportsmanship, how can we expect his players to?

 

[Billnew]

It is more like if a player spiked the ball or did a dance after a touchdown. I don't think they objected to him praying, only for making a spectacle of it.

A spectacle? Stopping running, dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky is a spectacle?

quote from the article:

emphasis mine

I, for one, think that all this pointing to the sky after some sports achievement is lousy religion. If you truly want to give thanks to God, say "thank you God" quietly. If you can only express this feeling by falling to one knee and pointing at the sky (which, I guess, is where God is?), do it on the sidelines during the kickoff. Don't draw attention to how faithful you are at the one moment when it is CERTAIN that all eyes will be on you. That is showboating, plain and simple.

There is a rule in that area against showboating in high-school football games. Christians shouldn't expect any special privileges to showboat just because they dress it up in their faith.

Again, Show boating? Dropping to one knee, and pointing is showboating?

So it looks like (Surprise!) the player wasn't penalized for praying, but for violating a rule against excessive celebration.

Without actually seeing footage, I'm not going to judge whether or not it was a bad call.

That being said, it's still a stupid rule, but there's hardly a need to throw more fuel on the persecution complex.

Third time: Dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky...is excessive celebration?

The Icky shuffle is excessive celebration. Running along the stands high fiving the fans, I can see as excessive, cart wheels through the line of scrimage being established for the field goal, yep.
Ending a run, dropping to a knee, and pointing up...really?

Unless, like others have said, seeing it in real time shows something more then what was described, I stand on my original comments. Possibly taking to long to get up? But that would be delay of game.

I would bet someone is anti-religious in the set up of this incident. Typical touch down behavior, running around the end zone jumping and pointing up is normal, the excitement of triumph. This is more excessive then silently dropping to a knee, and pointing.

Again, I hope all Christians on all the teams join him in making a statement, silent thanks to God is not excessive.

Yes, they hold up the rule book and claim its not about religion. It doesn't mean it isn't about religion. If they stick a leaf on it they could call it a tree too.
Watch a football game, look at what is normal celebration...then think about going to a knee and pointing.

 

[I <3 Abraham]

The article says it didn't effect the game - the guy's team still won like 67-23.

Which actually goes into another question. If this kid's coach can't be bothered to practice sportsmanship, how can we expect his players to?

True that. Why not put the B, C and D squads out there? Unless, of course, they did that and the opponents were SO BAD they got shellacked by the scrubs...always a possibility

 

[keith99]

The article says it didn't effect the game - the guy's team still won like 67-23.

Which actually goes into another question. If this kid's coach can't be bothered to practice sportsmanship, how can we expect his players to?

Source, the link seem to indicate the oposite.

BTW did anyone else notice that the kid involved says he had been doing this every time he scored all year? Yet it seems this is the first time any penalty has been called!

Watch Pro football for any weekend and it is even odds somewhere along the way the commentators will point out that if they wanted to the officials could call holding on every play.

I now wonder, just who was calling attention to himself, the kid or the official who made the call.

 

[I <3 Abraham]

A spectacle? Stopping running, dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky is a spectacle?


Again, Show boating? Dropping to one knee, and pointing is showboating?


Third time: Dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky...is excessive celebration?

The Icky shuffle is excessive celebration. Running along the stands high fiving the fans, I can see as excessive, cart wheels through the line of scrimage being established for the field goal, yep.
Ending a run, dropping to a knee, and pointing up...really?

Unless, like others have said, seeing it in real time shows something more then what was described, I stand on my original comments.

I would bet someone is anti-religious in the set up of this incident. Typical touch down behavior, running around the end zone jumping and pointing up is normal, the excitement of triumph. This is more excessive then silently dropping to a knee, and pointing.

Again, I hope all Christians on all the teams join him in making a statement, silent thanks to God is not excessive.

The rule is against players "drawing attention to themselves", which is certainly what this kid was doing. The rule is not about preventing "excessive celebration", it is about discouraging self-centered behavior.

And that is, in my opinion, what public displays of religiosity like this one
are. They showcase the individual person's piety at the precise moment when the most eyes are on him, right after a touchdown. That is the wrong time to do that. If you want to thank God and have a little prayer, do it on the sidelines when the special teams unit is playing. That way, you know that the motivation you have in praying to God is sincere desire for prayer rather than for being recognized publicly as a pious individual. When you do that, as the saying goes, you have already received your reward-public acclaim. If you want spiritual fruits, do it on the sidelines when fewer than everybody is watching you.

 

[I <3 Abraham]

Source, the link seem to indicate the oposite.

BTW did anyone else notice that the kid involved says he had been doing this every time he scored all year? Yet it seems this is the first time any penalty has been called!

Watch Pro football for any weekend and it is even odds somewhere along the way the commentators will point out that if they wanted to the officials could call holding on every play.

I now wonder, just who was calling attention to himself, the kid or the official who made the call.

It might be that the refs called the kid because the game was WAY beyond the losing team coming back, making any kind of touchdown celebration inappropriate.

Besides, the kids are the ones who need to be getting taught sportsmanship. If a ref is not a sportsman, maybe somebody should have taught him that lesson when he was young and impressionable. Some time like, I don't know, while he was playing high school football.

 

[Billnew]

Ref: Thanking God for TD 'unsportsmanlike' | KVAL CBS 13 - News, Weather and Sports - Eugene, OR - Eugene, Oregon | Offbeat

There appears to be a video, but I can not watch it(at work, blocked)

Sadly the player said he would not do it again, he'll wait to do it off the field.

Look in this story, it says one to two seconds at most, not excessive time. The picture is of the pose he took.

Even without the religious nature, I would get rid of the person that adopts such a strict rule: Cannot draw attention to ones self."
Why are they playing then? Its a competition sport, everyone is out there to do thier best.
Someone hits a home run, they jump up and down, someone makes a hole in one, they celebrate, in tennis if someone wins, they celebrate, they all draw attention to themselves. Thats the way of sports.
Now excessive is a different story, but this is not excessive.
Although, that score does look excessive.

If he had stepped back two yards, and did the same, he would have been legal? off the field?

 

[Nathan Poe]

A spectacle? Stopping running, dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky is a spectacle?

The ref said it was. You want to argue the call? Fine. but let's see some footage before we jump on the Persecution Waahmbulance.

Again, Show boating? Dropping to one knee, and pointing is showboating?

Again -- without footage, who knows what it was?

Third time: Dropping to one knee, and pointing to the sky...is excessive celebration?

Third time -- ref's call, not yours.

The Icky shuffle is excessive celebration. Running along the stands high fiving the fans, I can see as excessive, cart wheels through the line of scrimage being established for the field goal, yep.
Ending a run, dropping to a knee, and pointing up...really?

Talk to the ref.

Unless, like others have said, seeing it in real time shows something more then what was described, I stand on my original comments. Possibly taking to long to get up? But that would be delay of game.

So you haven't seen it either, have you?

I would bet someone is anti-religious in the set up of this incident. Typical touch down behavior, running around the end zone jumping and pointing up is normal, the excitement of triumph. This is more excessive then silently dropping to a knee, and pointing.

before you slather a persecution complex onto this, take it up with the ref.

Again, I hope all Christians on all the teams join him in making a statement, silent thanks to God is not excessive.

Assuming it was silent.

Yes, they hold up the rule book and claim its not about religion. It doesn't mean it isn't about religion. If they stick a leaf on it they could call it a tree too.

So come hell or high water, you're going to cry persecution, hmmm?

Watch a football game, look at what is normal celebration...then think about going to a knee and pointing.

Think about showing us some footage -- or at the very least, seeing some yourself.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Ref: Thanking God for TD 'unsportsmanlike' | KVAL CBS 13 - News, Weather and Sports - Eugene, OR - Eugene, Oregon | Offbeat

There appears to be a video, but I can not watch it(at work, blocked)

Seen the video -- Looks like a bad call to me. The kid was grandstanding, but not "15-yard penalty" grandstanding.

So -- Christian persecution, or stupid ref?

 

[Drekkan85]

Source, the link seem to indicate the oposite.

BTW did anyone else notice that the kid involved says he had been doing this every time he scored all year? Yet it seems this is the first time any penalty has been called!

Watch Pro football for any weekend and it is even odds somewhere along the way the commentators will point out that if they wanted to the officials could call holding on every play.

I now wonder, just who was calling attention to himself, the kid or the official who made the call.

The source is the link itself. The coach ran up the score - or do you think he really thought the opposing team could come back from 60-23 in the fourth quarter?

Running up the score in HS/College football where the athletes are non-professionals is the epitome of poor sportsmanship on the part of the coach.

As for this, again, I haven't been shown the specific rule and the commentary on the rule (anyone who works with Rules of Professional Conduct or any other rule based profession know that the commentaries that explain rules are as important as the wording of the rule itself). In the pros and in college, dropping to the ground SHOULD be called as excessive celebration no matter the circumstances.

That it's not is a black mark against the league. Same with the holding. Football would be a lot safer for linemen on both sides of the ball if officials properly called holds and chop blocks.