Low 66F. Cline has been a coach for 17 years, including seven seasons at Seminole-Osceola before coming to Citrus High. CANTON, Ohio (AP) The head football coach at an Ohio high school and six other coaches there have been ousted after a football player said he was forced him to eat pork in violation of his religious beliefs for missing a voluntary workout. On October 23, the district denied his request. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "The outrage is real, warranted, and we hear it," Duxbury High School's administration said in an emailed statement. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play. State Senator Barry Finegold, who is Jewish and played football in high school and college, reached out to the team, offering to educate them on the history of the word, CBS Boston says. Citrus High coach fired; community asks 'why?' Threats of harming another Higher wind gusts possible.. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Bishop Sycamore was crushed by national powerhouse IMG Academy, 58-0, on Sunday just two days after suffering a 19-7 loss to Sto-Rox High School of Pennsylvania. While the Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2019, Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh said in a statement that the Ninth Circuits reasoning was troubling and that the Court would likely take the case if lower courts could first answer whether Kennedy had been fired because of his religion. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. After previously coaching at Crystal River for three seasons, Varnadore was hired at Citrus two years ago. In this business this happens. Still, Varnadore was credited with turning around a team that had gone a combined 4-15 the previous two seasons. A lawyer for the teen players family has announced plans to sue the school district. While Kennedy and religious freedom advocates contend he was simply exercising his right to express his devotion to God, the school district maintains that his actions were coercive and that players parents complained that their children on the team felt compelled to participate. But in his case, its more of a higher calling. I think he did a great job for us. Lovebugs in Florida: How do I get them off my car? In order to be a good leader, you have to be a good servant. The case is Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, No. But Im proud of the kids. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism "It's deeply hurtful to the Jewish community to learn that the plays somehow connect to the Holocaust and Judaism," Trestan said. You're not going to find one. Could rocket fuel soon be produced in Polk County? With that said, my life was forever changed after receiving word of the passing of one of our players, Alec McMurray. Citrus High Booster Club president Ann Jackson said Cline was always cooperative with the 100-member organization. He believes in those relationships, Bishop said. We have been in What do I do with the fact that parents complained that their children wouldnt follow their directives? Sotomayor asked. This case has massive implications for religious liberty for millions of Americans, and we are hopeful the Court will correct the injustice that occurred here, Berry said. Citrus head football coach Nathan Varnadore announced his resignation Monday morning. Illinois highway pile-up causes multiple deaths, police say, Trump motion to declare mistrial in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, Transgender Montana lawmaker Zooey Zephyr sues over censure, Debt ceiling standoff heats up over veterans' programs, U.S. tracking high-altitude balloon first spotted off Hawaii, Biden administration ending vaccine mandate for federal workers, travelers, The weirdest items passengers leave behind in Ubers, "Multiple fatalities" in massive pile-up on Illinois highway, Yellen warns U.S. could default on debt as early as June 1. - After four seasons at the helm as the head football coach at Citrus High School, McKinley Franklin will not be the Hurricanes lead man anymore. "I'm stunned," said Panio, who played both sports for DiCarlo and has been a coach on the football staff since he was 19. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. CHS student athlete collapses at practice, dies Low 66F. Struggling to understand Gods plan in this tragedy caused me to do a lot of prayer and reflection about what it is God wants me to do. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Share with Us. ,Crystal River,FL, 8021 W Gulf To Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429, 1250 N Vantage Point DR, Crystal River, FL 34429, 631 N. 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Florida Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450, 659 N Citrus Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428, 1624 North Meadowcrest Boulevard , Crystal River, FL 34429, 1000 NE 5th Street, Crystal River, FL 34429, 7655 W Gulf To Lake Highway, Crystal River, FL 34429, 4000 S Florida Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450, 3638 S Placid Avenue, Inverness, FL 34452, 3791 N Lecanto Highway , Beverly Hills, FL 34465, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, 7449 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429, 5430 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34428, 3835 S Pittsburgh Avenue, Homosassa, FL 34448. At this time I feel that the justification was not concrete enough for me to resign."' Several members of the Citrus High community - students, faculty members and boosters - contacted Wednesday afternoon said that they were reluctant to comment on Cline's dismissal for fear of possible repercussions. accounts, the history behind an article. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also joined other conservatives in filing a brief in support of Kennedy. Parents found this communication disgusting and reported to the media about the sensual exercise practice in He can be reached by e-mail atjthomson@lohud.com, on Twitter at@lohudinsider, and on Instagram at@lohudinsider. They said the player chose to take off the pepperoni and eat it. Low 66F. "Not one thing. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. or anything. Here's how. Will DeSantis have to resign to run for president? Football - Citrus High School That tells me from an investigation that they didn't have any interest in finding out the truth.". The district also used the First Amendment to justify its argument, claiming that Kennedys prayers in view of the public and students following a school sanctioned event violate the Establishment Clause because his actions could be perceived as a district endorsement of religion. The 15 years Ive done that have prepared me for this.. Football coach reinstated after We have suffered a great loss (tonight) and the pain we all feel is immeasurable, the post said. The teen would have been subjected to additional drills and his status on the team might have been jeopardized if he had not followed Wattleys order, Gilbert said. Ive coached in the college ranks, in high school, Ive been with district champions and regional champs. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. that is degrading to another person. The school district announced on Wednesday that the JV football game against Crystal River for Wednesday night and the Friday night football game against Leesburg have both been canceled. "We're sorry to see him go.". Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. So, OK, thats what youre telling us, fine, thats how we take it in. "You try and find a basketball coach or football coach who teaches 16 and 17-year-old kids and hasn't cursed. 21-418 in the Supreme Court of the United States. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3 min read. But Clement said an abstract worry about coercion wasnt sufficient basis to tell Kennedy he couldnt pray on-field publicly after games. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Citrus High School football player dies after collapsing during Thats not coercion that counts under the Establishment Clause.. CANTON, Ohio (AP) The head football coach at an Ohio high school and six other coaches there have been ousted after a football player said he was forced him to eat pork in violation of his religious beliefs for missing a voluntary workout. Ohio high school football coaches fired after player says he was racist or sexually-oriented language. 187 overall marked the 22nd wide receiver selected. Duxbury residents are beside themselves, CBS Boston observes, and a local group called Duxbury For All says there's a lot of work to be done. Hesaid: Six years away from the football field has been far too long. Pattakos blamed an assistant coach, whom he did not name, for inflaming the situation by reporting an exaggerated version to administrators and the players family. "When someone says 'Auschwitz,' I don't think these young people understand how harmful and hurtful that is to people that are Jewish.". Pattakos also blamed the district for conducting a rushed and incomplete investigation. Principal Ed Staten offered Cline the chance to resign the position he has held for two years, but Cline refused. Ted S. Warren/AP Photo. Trestan said he was told by Antonucci that the words "rabbi" and "dreidel" were also used in Duxbury's March 12 game against Plymouth North. "It's a move that I need to make for the benefit of the program," Staten said. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, nationally televised football drubbing Sunday on ESPN. The high school football coach demands students write an essay about their love fantasies. From what weve seen so far, this is not a fair fight, and theres got to be a point where youre worried about health and safety.. The City of Citrus Heights reported this month that a record-breaking number of permits were issued for secondary dwelling units last year. The Supreme Court late last week agreed to hear oral arguments in a religious liberty case regarding a high school football coach who was fired for praying on the field after games. Why take that from our kids?[sad]. Bishop Sycamore told us they had a number of Division I prospects on their roster, and to be frank, a lot of that, we could not verify. Mainly clear skies. They're saying that he's the best they've ever had, not just in coaching but in curriculum and in working with the office staff because he's athletic coordinator.". Be Truthful. Indications that Cline's job as head football coach was in danger was reported Friday in the Times. The student, identified as 16-year-old Antonio Elijah Hicks, was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Thank you for reading! The unedited text of the petition reads, "For the first time in years the CHS Hurricanes have had a spectacular football season all thanks to coach Robert OBrian. It turns out that the school also is not listed on the Ohio Athletic Associations directory of schools, but reportedly is part of the Texas Christian Athletic League. A decision about subsequent games will be made later, CBS Boston reports. Churchill high school is conducting an immature sensitive conversation with underage children by promoting 18 + topics. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The New England Patriots stopped the slide of former LSU standout Kayshon Boutte in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Kennedy, a devout Christian who began working at Bremerton High School in 2008, was fired from his role as varsity assistant coach and as the junior varsity head Citrus High School football player dies after collapsing - WFTS 600 W Highland Blvd, Inverness, FL 34452. "Nobody's getting an answer and I'm frustrated," Citrus County School Board member Karen Johnson said. Cline's job as a physical education teacher is protected by his contract with the Citrus County School Board. | Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool. The Leesburg coaching staff and players are praying for all of those affected, said Mark Oates, Leesburg Head Football Coach. We'd love to hear eyewitness The past two years as the Head Coach at Citrus High School has been an amazing experience with a wonderful community, great kids, and an administration that fully supports the building of a program, Varnadore said in a lengthy note posted on his Twitter account. Panio said he was not aware of any instances when DiCarlo had been warned or reprimanded for his language or any other behavior by administrators this season or in past years. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. He won a fan vote for Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Coach of the Year, after having been voted Coach of the Week following the win over Nature Coast. Bishop Sycamore, the unknown Ohio-based online school that talked its way into a nationally televised football drubbing Sunday on ESPN, has fired head I value him as a person, but I just thought right now he needed to step down, he needed to go, Peterson told USA Today. Citrus High Principal Laura Mason also posted a message Tuesday night on the schools Facebook page. Updated: 04/25/2022 09:42 PM EDT. "And it's sad because of the way it was handled.". Watch Eli Manning, ex-Giants surprise Michael Strahan on ' Devils great still irked by blown Game 7 chance against Rangers in 1994, Devils trust their 'mood' will help them oust Rangers in Game 7, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Perez Hilton: 'Boring' Meghan and Harry need to 'give up and move' back to UK, Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert. Thanks for contacting us. Neither Cline nor Staten would give specific details as to what was said in a meeting between the two Wednesday. Since 2008, Kennedy, a Marine Corps veteran, made a commitment to God to give thanks after every game win or lose for the opportunity to be a football coach for his players, Kennedys representation,First Liberty Institute, wrote. Josh Thomson is the Sports Editor for The Journal News, Poughkeepsie Journal and Middletown Times Herald-Record. 00:01. "This is really a pretty nice town and our hope is to make this a more diverse and inclusive place," said Bruce Rutter of Duxbury For All. Coach Kennedy requested he be allowed to take 15 seconds after games to take a knee and pray when players were not on the field. Given the complicated scenario in the case, liberal Justice Stephen Breyer seemed reluctant to use it as a vehicle to issue a sweeping decision about the religious-freedom rights of teachers and coaches. While the Citrus High football team uses this Week 11 bye to prepare for a potential playoff matchup, the program has remained in the spotlight. However, when the word got out that coach OBrien was no longer apart of the Citrus High School football program, the question that no one was able to find the answer to was, why?, "Ultimately, Citrus County hasnt seen this good of a program in years, and once our team finally starts to succeed and climb up the rankings, it is all stripped away for a reason that is unknown to most. CITRUS COUNTY, fla A Citrus County high school student is dead after collapsing during football practice, according to the school district. Mainly clear skies. "I am not ashamed in any negligent way. There was adversity after adversity, once one thing was under control something else pops up. Like the courts other conservatives, Justice Brett Kavanaugh sounded concerned about the districts intrusion on Kennedys religious practice. Like many coaches, hes leaving for another A Jewish high school football player in Ohio was allegedly forced by his coach to eat pork a violation of his religious beliefs as a form of punishment. During the Trump administration, Kennedy got the attention of then-President Donald Trump, who invited the coach to a White House event championing a proposal that aimed to bolster the right to pray in schools. Cline said he is open to any opportunity, either as an assistant within Citrus County or a head coach elsewhere, as long as his family was stable. "I think he did a good job as far as the coaching end of it. Citrus High head football coach Robert OBrien stands on the sideline before a game Sept. 27 in Inverness against Central. The case surrounds high school football coach Joseph Kennedy and Bremerton School District in the state of Washington. There had been crowds that come from all over just to watch the Hurricanes play. Citrus High head football coach Nate Varnadore announced his resignation on Monday, ending his two-year tenure with the program. We've received your submission. Coaches Ousted After Player Says In 2018, First Liberty filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Ninth Circuits decision. While Clement said the record is clear that Coach Kennedy was fired, the schools attorneys contend that the coach was placed on paid leave and never applied to renew his one-year contract. The purpose of the investigation was not specified and he continued to coach the football team through its final game, a 35-13 victory over Fox Lane on Oct. 29, completing a 6-3 season. Ive built a bridge. A suburban high school football coach in Massachusetts was fired after an opponent reported his team for using the name of a Nazi concentration camp in its Keep it Clean. Citrus However, the attorney arguing on behalf of the school district Richard Katskee of Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the school system had other reasons for acting in connection with Kennedys prayers, including concerns about students feeling coerced and even about safety after spectators rushed the field after one game, with some students being knocked to the ground. Attending McMurrays funeral the night before their preseason contest, the Canes got off to an 0-4 start to the regular season. McKinley Franklin steps down as head football coach at Citrus Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit again sided with the school district in 2021, though the Ninth Circuit confirmed Kennedy had been fired because he refused to stop praying on the field after games. Phone 352-726-2241 | Fax 352-249 But the justices left doubt Monday about whether they will issue a sweeping ruling backing the religious-freedom rights of school employees or a more narrow decision confined to the unusual facts of the case from Washington state.