5 Creston high school students wearing hoods in online photo are off the football team, coach says

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Jay Withrow

The five Creston, Iowa, Community High School students who appeared in an online photo showing them wearing white hoods and standing beside a burning cross no longer are members of the football team, the team's coach said.

The Des Moines Register reported that Creston coach Brian Morrison said discipline on the matter was "ongoing. My stance is that they’re off the team."

Morrison said he had spoken with all the parents involved. He also said attorneys had gotten involved in the case.

"Litigation is what it is," he said Thursday evening. "At this point tonight, they’re not with us."

FULL story at link below photo.




Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/creston-high-school-students-wearing-hoods-in-online-photo-are/article_7c994646-94ad-11e7-9deb-67c9066a6296.html

[CrispyQ]

1. I hope his decision sticks.

Out these fucking racists.

[lame54]

35. I disagree - they should let them play...

Without helmets

[VermontKevin]

40. It's apparent these kids already have enough brain damage.

[thbobby]

37. High School Football is a travesty

Maybe they should let them play. Maybe football is what damaged their brains enough to be so hateful.

I agree with the idea that these pricks should be outed and punished. Just my feelings on children and brain damage.

Kids do stupid things. I wish I knew how to unteach hatred.

[SunSeeker]

2. Of course they should be off the team!

How could that coach possibly look the African American players on that team in the eye if he let those KKK boys stay on the team?

[moda253]

3. Oh no Johnny can't play football any more????

For real? That's the fucking take away? SMGDH.....

[GulfCoast66]

58. Where I come from that is a very harsh penalty

been kicked off the football team in small towns is about as bad as being expelled. I don't think they can legally be expelled but they certainly can be kicked off the team.

[heaven05]

4. in my day

I would have never heard of this incident. Even with lynchings, most people never heard of them unless they subscribed to the black press of the day. Now at least true americans and fake ameriKKKans can see and hear, almost immediately, the ignorance and racist stupidity currently in open vogue in ameriKKKa that will eventually affect all americans, whether they like it or not.

[barbtries]

29. no wonder

looks like they posted it themselves. proudly.

[LisaM]

5. This is completely appropriate. Being on a team is a privilege.

I'm really glad the coach (my father was a high school coach, BTW) is trying to keep sportsmanship alive for his team and program.

I don't know the makeup of the school, but if I were a black player (or frankly, from any minority, or a Jew, or a Catholic), I wouldn't want to be on the team with these guys.

[freddyvh]

6. they play at Harlan this week

Harlan is been a power house in Iowa football for years, but they are abit down now.

Their student section is a riot. They come up with a cheer for each game.

Curios if they will slam C-O/M this week with this.

[FairWinds]

7. When Iowa youth are exposed to an endless stream . .

of Right Wing hate, this is what you will get. (Although to be
sure these young people are fully responsible for their actions)

The Reich media has totally transformed the political culture of
what used to be a great state - same here in Ohio

https://blogforiowa.com/2017/06/09/the-iowa-right-wing-cult-machine/

Folks, we have do do something about this . .

[Still In Wisconsin]

8. I say let them play...

against a big, powerful city team like, say Detroit Cass Tech

[beachbum bob]

9. actions have consequences, next should be disqualification from colleges

[meadowlander]

62. Nobody should be denied education for being stupid and hateful.

That's counterproductive, since education is the only thing that's going to stop them being stupid and hateful in the future.

They should be required to spend their summer doing volunteer work for charities that support minorities.

[ProgressiveValue]

64. Agreed.

Wanting them denied from all college and living on the street reeks of bloodthirsty revenge. They've been kicked off the team. Your idea would also be nice. Wanting their lives ruined forever would turn them more angry and possibly violent in a lashout.

[packman]

10. Oh, they're stupid ass kids doing stupid ass things

Anyone that can say he/she hasn't done stupid ass things once in their lives is a liar. Set their collective asses in some remedial history classes, show them films of the holocaust, have them listen to survivors of hate and give them some community service work . I believe in giving idiots at least one chance at redemption. After that, fuck them.

[TeamPooka]

19. Nope. How would you like to be a person of color on a team with them? Unacceptable student behavior

cannot be rewarded.

[bettyellen]

22. Cruel and hateful- it's gone beyond mere "stupid" when they act like the KKK

[LisaM]

27. Yes, I think you are right.

See if they can be redeemed. They are 15. Maybe they can be. Maybe they can't - who knows?

That's why I think kicking them off the football team is perfectly appropriate because they get immediate consequences, but it won't affect the rest of their lives if they subsequently shape up.

Not knowing any of these boys, my guess is that some will evolve into more enlightened humans and some won't.

[ToxMarz]

32. No one NEEDS to play football. They aren't being kicked out of school or imprisoned.

They won't have a criminal record and it won't affect their credit score. They can totally redeem themselves (if they desire) without playing football. Out of respect for and a positive example to not only their own school members but also the other teams/schools they will face during the season, this is the best decision. School athletic teams are not self contained within their own boundaries, they are ambassadors and have a duty to honorably represent their institutions, in addition the duty they owe to the community that typically would spends a disproportionate amount of resources on their athletics programs.

[FSogol]

38. I agree. It is liberal to believe that people can change and become better people.

That's why we have parole, give felons their rights back after serving time, etc.

[Old Vet]

42. Packman, I could not dis-agree more, Shit I pulled every type of nonsense in school...........

This is pure fucking HATE, Big difference. How could you possibly compare this to "stupid ass Things" What do you recommend detention? URGHHH

[TexasBushwhacker]

44. Actions have consequences

Playing sports for ones school is a privilege that comes with the responsibilty to be a good representative of the school. It's early in the season. I'm sure there are some deserving young men who didn't make the team who will now get to play.

Considering their faces are covered, I wonder who outed them.

[Aristus]

51. No. There's never a better time than when one is a kid to receive lessons in the consequences

of one's actions.

If you wait until they're adults, they'll never learn.

[Skittles]

65. WTF

behaving like the KKK does *NOT* fall into the category of TEENAGERS DOING STUPID THINGS. Something is very, VERY wrong there.

[onetexan]

11. where do these young men learn to hate from?

their parents? online?

[appleannie1943]

13. Apparently their parents. The people paying for their attorney to sue the school.

[exboyfil]

18. To stay on the football team

I could see for an expulsion, but really...

[appleannie1943]

23. The glory of playing football is probably the reason those nutcases have for sending their kids to a

high school. To them, it is more important than learning to add or spell.

[moda253]

24. Exactly and that's my point.

What a bunch of garbage.

The humanity... Kicked off the football team? HELLOOOOOOO????? People... You are raising a little racist asshole.

Unreal.

"What do they mean white privilege?"

[LeftInTX]

26. When I was in high school, smoking cigarettes got you kicked off

[TeamPooka]

21. By suing the school the kids identities will have to become public so lets find out who they are

[ancianita]

50. Excellent point. Got the popcorn out. Who's paying determines when the suit gets dropped.

[Bettie]

34. Parents

I have three boys, two in high school.

If I ever got wind of either of them being involved in something like this, their lives as they know them would end.

Sadly, far too many kids in our school (in Iowa) would think this is acceptable behavior. Why? Because their parents think it is OK.

[Old Vet]

43. Same here bettie, My kids would of been using plastic cups and string to call there friends.......

And my boys would of been more worried about my penalties then anything the school would of done.

[Bettie]

46. Mine too

WAY more afraid of mom than anything the school would do.

Of course, they've also been raised to have compassion and empathy for others.

Oh and honesty. They know very well that lying is way worse than admitting to whatever they've done. Unfortunately, the way things are getting, honesty may hinder them in their lives far more than it helps.

[onetexan]

68. agree, family nurturing has alot to do with it

Hate is a learned behavior and I don't doubt the kids get it from the parents. However, it's not the only factor. One is a product of one's upbringing, education, the books one chooses to read, the people one surrounds oneself with, and last but certainly not the least important, is one's openness and willingness to embrace a broadminded look of the society within which one is a part of. I had a very diverse upbringing where i had friends from many different races and backgrounds. I've raised my kids to not only be accepting of, but to embrace the beauty and differences of every culture.

That said, i do know there are people from areas of the country (especially the more rural areas) where there is not such cultural diversity, such as in the little towns at the foot of the Ozarks where my in-laws live. These 2 retired doctors have many stories to tell of the local communities. Most are German Catholics whose ancestors have settled and farmed their lands for over a hundred years and feel their way of life is being threatened. My in-laws tell me these people don't like change and don't want change. There are Trump/Pence signs in their yards and vehicle bumper stickers everywhere. Not having much exposure to people of color, they tend to "fear" people who they deem are not like them, hence are not accepting.

Another interesting point: I've had discussions within my circle of friends and other people i know about diversity. Some of them also came from similar homogeneous environments, yet when they entered college, moved to more populous areas, or worked at companies where they got to know people from other cultures and ethnicities, this really opened up their minds. My conclusion is while exposure is one factor, one's willingness to accept and embrace other cultures is also very important.

[TeamPooka]

63. Parents

Where do you think these idiots learned it in the first place?

[Bettie]

66. And the run up to the election and all that has happened since

has told people who believe this stuff that it is not only OK, but encouraged.

[MrScorpio]

12. Why would they think that this was a good idea?

Who the fuck does this shit?

[msongs]

14. religion nt

[Oneironaut]

16. Teenagers think being edgy is cool.

It's also why so many of them get sucked into the alt-right 4chan type garbage.

[bettyellen]

20. This is beyond edgy and way into hateful.

[Bettie]

47. This is in Steve King's District

enough said.

[emmadoggy]

60. Steve King is District 4,

Creston is in District 3. Not that it matters much. It's still a predominately red area of the state.

[Blue_Tires]

54. People who try to take their internet trolling to real life...

And they see how far Trump has been able to take his hustle...

[left-of-center2012]

15. See you in court

I'm sure the parents will be defending their little darlings,
and sue the school for anti-white prejudice.

[yuiyoshida]

17. Wow

[Initech]

25. Something tells me these assholes are going to cry free speech.

And that won't end well.

[iluvtennis]

28. A coach with some ethics - I like that. nt

[dalton99a]

30. The school district is 1.6% black - and the quarterback is black:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/columnists/kyle-munson/2017/09/07/creston-kkk-confederate-flag-cross-burning-photo-reaction-high-school-principal-football-coach/642689001/

[.99center]

31. The parents are fighting the school over this?

Yeah, that's the message you want to send to your aspiring Klan kids!

[PatSeg]

41. Tristan Travis's parents

support the school and the coach's decisions and have apologized to the community for any pain their son may have caused.

Jamie and Megan Travis, the parents of Tristan Travis, one of the boys in the photo, issued a statement Friday that said, in part, "On behalf of the Travis Family, we sincerely apologize for the hurt and strife we have caused this community. We do not condone the behavior that was expressed in the recent photo that was disseminated throughout various media sources.

"We understand that our son has conducted himself in a way that is inappropriate and has caused disruption in the community. Our son recognizes his poor judgment and respectfully asks forgiveness from his classmates, the school and the community. The photo in no way reflects our family values. Our family strongly believes that all individuals are created equally in God’s eyes."

The parents added that they support the actions of school officials "as they impose the appropriate punishments on our son, including removing him from the football team."

"Our goal is a peaceful resolution. We want to move forward and embrace our community in eliminating racism in Creston."

http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/creston-high-school-students-wearing-hoods-in-online-photo-are/article_7c994646-94ad-11e7-9deb-67c9066a6296.html

Hopefully the other parents feel the same way, though it is likely not all do.

[Cosmocat]

45. Good stuff

nm

[MontanaMama]

52. That kid, at least, has a chance

of turning out to be a decent human being. The parents sound sincere.

[PatSeg]

55. Yes, they do

and with parents like that, he probably does have a chance.

[mgardener]

53. Nice of the parents to speak out,

But their son is in that picture. He should apologize too.
The gun makes that picture really threatening

[PatSeg]

56. Yes, the gun was threatening

and the behavior of all of them was terribly disturbing. Hopefully, all of them will get the discipline and direction that they need.

[hibbing]

33. 2017 n/t

[Plucketeer]

36. They're big, invincible, "cool guy" jocks

Consequently, beyond any notion of decency. I know in my high school days, these jocks were hot shit. I'm glad I stuck to playing in the school band.

[moonseller66]

39. Racist Hi-pocracy

Racist's hypocrisy never fails to amaze me!

They hate African-Americans but love their football, basketball, baseball and ESPECIALLY COLLEGE teams that have minorities on them.

They hate Mexicans but love Taco Bell and eat at Mexican Restaurants.

They hate foreigners (except white ones) and their countries but buy their goods.

And now I see why NASCAR and Country Music is so popular with their ilk...(apologies to Charlie Pride!)

[ancianita]

48. And they'd damned well better stay off.

[BigmanPigman]

49. What, no cheerleaders? Is racism, stupidity and hate a testosterone thing

with the KKK?

[saidsimplesimon]

57. Thank you Steve

I know the situation is not the best. Steve, I love you.

[underpants]

59. Go Harlan Cyclones!!!

http://www.maxpreps.com/m/team/schedule.aspx?gendersport=boys,football&schoolid=eeb67b31-c6de-4d00-acf6-c3f74c5c6a81

http://www.harlan.k12.ia.us/Harlan%20High/

[hatrack]

61. Here, let me fix that headline for you . . .

"5 Creston high school hoods are off the football team, coach says"

[Turbineguy]

67. Football practice

probably cut into their cross-burnin' time anyway.