Letter: Players who don't pray feel out of place

Letter: Players who don't pray feel out of place



Cole Norton
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 10/11/07


Editor: I'm writing this for the kids who are confused and feel out of place during their schools organized sporting team events. This is how I felt after devoting countless amounts of time and energy to becoming a part of a high school football team. Even with the accomplishment of becoming a starter, I felt, at times, out of place.

This was after practice and before and after games when the team "prayed" led by a coach. As the team members bowed their heads and closed their eyes, I would sit with mine open. Coach Joey Wiles once said that a parent had complained and any of us were free to go. This made me think that there was another person feeling out of place. Then insecurity took over and I felt alone. How I or any other teenager was suppose to stand up and walk away from a team that I had worked so hard for and dedicated so much time to? I believe in separation of church and state. This line is being trampled over. In response to the "Prayer Under Fire" opinions, the attitude toward a child not willing to participate in this organized prayer seems obvious and by personal experience, a disregard of individual beliefs.

Maybe the majority of athletes and coaches are Christian, but would this be an issue if the coaches were Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, or agnostic and having group prayer on the football field?

There is no need for organized team prayer while in a school uniform, on a school field, in a locker room, even on a school bus,

If they wish to meet at church before or after a game to pray this is their right. Most of all, to the kids confused, scared, or feeling ashamed, you are not alone.

Cole Norton

St. Augustine


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