There is a controversy brewing at a high school in Tennessee. Although it happened during a recent football game, it's not about points scored or penalties. It has to do with a coach who was allegedly leading students in prayer.
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That is what Lawrence "Trey" Campbell, an assistant coach at Northwest High School in Clarksville, allegedly did during a game on Friday, September 5. Per Taste of Country, "he was asked to leave during halftime" after a complaint was made about him praying with the team. Campbell, who is also the school resource officer, has reportedly been put on leave.
Campbell Is Allegedly Being Accused of "Proselytizing"
Per the outlet via WSMV and Clarksville Now, there was a complaint received by officials at the school about Campbell "proselytizing." People claimed that they saw him praying with students and players, quoting from Scripture, and holding a Bible.
The School System Issued a Statement
According to the Clarksville-Montgomery School System, the problem was "not about private prayer or personal religious beliefs." It because of the fact that "courts have consistently ruled that public employees may not use their positions to proselytize or promote religion in school settings."
Campbell was allegedly asked to cease being disruptive and to put his Bible away. The district reportedly says he declined to do so. School officials tried to defuse the situation twice. Campbell reportedly said, "I can't do it, won't do it. My job is to save these babies."
He supposedly exited the game voluntarily and was put on leave.
A Local News Outlet States That Campbell Was Not Asked to Leave the Game
According to Clarksville Now, Campbell "was not asked to leave, but left on his own...." The first accounts of the incident apparently noted that the coach was removed from the football game. The Clarksville Now account also says that the school system's release added that people claimed Campbell reacted in a way that was "unreasonable," "extreme," and "defiant."
Clarksville Now also mentioned some additional material from the school system statement. It came from a spokesperson named Anthony Johnson. "CMCSS fully supports and respects the constitutional rights of all students, employees and visitors to practice their faith, including the right to pray privately, However, federal law and the U.S. Constitution place limits on the actions of public employees, including educators, coaches and SROs, when they are acting in their official capacities."
The statement went on to note a Supreme Court decision from three years ago that "did not authorize public employees to lead, encourage or pressure students into religious activity."
