Praying at high school games leads to debate in Jefferson County

>> I THINK THE ARGUMENT IS ABOUT USING THE PA SYSTEM. REPORTER: THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION CALLED OUT GARDENDALE AND PINSON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS FOR PRAYING OVER THE P.A. SYSTEM BEFORE FOOTBALL GAMES. HIS SON PLAYS FOOTLLBA FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE ALUM SAYS THAT AS LONG AS HE CAN MEMBER, PRAYING BEFORE KICKOFF IS NORMAL. >> FOOTBALL GAMES ARE HUGE ON FRIDAY NIGHT. HUGE CROWD THERE. SAYING A PRAYER BEFORE THEAM GE JU ST ASKING GOD TO BLESS THE PLAYERS AND KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE IS SOMETHING THAT’S BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES. IN SEPTEMBER 2021 THE GROUP SAYS IT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DISTRICT AFTER A CONCERNED PARENT BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. THE FOUNDATION SAYS THE DISTCTRI COMPLIED, INCLUDING A LETTER FROM ITS ATTORNEYS SAYING, THE SUPERINTENDENT MET WITH PRINCIPALS AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT ALLOW PRAYER AT SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS, INCLUDING FOOTBALL GAMES. JEFFERN SOCOUNTYUP SERINTENDENT DOCTOR WALTER GONSOULIN SAYS THAT WAS HANDLED ON THE SCHOOL LEVEL AND NOT AS A RESULT OF FORMAL BOARD ACTION OR ANY NEWLY ADOPTED POLICY. HE SAYS THE COUNTY’S BOARD OF EDUCATION REMAINS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO RESPECTING DAN PROTECTING STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES. I WISH THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT STRONGER RESPONSE. REPORTER: PRAYING BEFORE A HOME GAME HERE AT JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC IS NOT A PROBLEM HERE, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN THIS TEAM HAS TO TRAVEL TO JEFRSONFE COUNTY. >> IF WE’VE GOT TO COME OUT 2 MINUTES EARLIER TO SAY A PRARYE WITH OUR FANS AND TEAM TO BE ABLE TO BE TOGETHER AND JUST CLEAR OUR MINDS AND JUSTEEP K THAT BOND. REPORTER: THAT BOND IS WHY BEASON SAYS PRAYER WILL KEEP HAPPENING FOR HIS FAMILY WHEN THEY GO TO HOME AND AWAY GAMES. >> I REALLY THINK IT’S UNFORTUNATE THEY’RE PUTTINGS U IN A POSITION TO EITHER DECIDE BETWEEN PRAYER OR DOING WHAT TH S.AYEY I THINK THE ANSWER WITH THAT IS EA.SY I THINK WE STICK WITH PR

Praying at high school games leads to debate in Jefferson County

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling out Gardendale and Pinson Valley High Schools for praying over the P.A. system before football games.

Updated: 9:27 PM CDT Apr 6, 2022

Pregame prayers are part of high school sports for many students and parents in Alabama. But one organization says some Jefferson County Schools took that too far, and their acts were unconstitutional. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling out Gardendale and Pinson Valley high schools for praying over loud speakers before football games. Learn more in the video above.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. —

Pregame prayers are part of high school sports for many students and parents in Alabama. But one organization says some Jefferson County Schools took that too far, and their acts were unconstitutional. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling out Gardendale and Pinson Valley high schools for praying over loud speakers before football games. Learn more in the video above.