A high school football coach in Georgia got dismissed from coaching duties for organizing a baptism for 20 players on school grounds in October, as reported by News 3.
Coach Isaac Ferrell from Tattnall County High School had local pastor Gary Few baptize the players on October 23. A video on the team’s official Facebook page depicts Few baptizing each player individually in a large tub of water.
Tattnall County High School Superintendent Kristen Waters announced Ferrell’s dismissal after the baptism but asserted that his removal from coaching was unrelated to the baptism service.
“Based on the outcome of an investigation into an incident that occurred Friday night, Nov. 3 while traveling after the football game, the District decided that it would seek a Head football coach that aligned with the best interests of the students,” Waters announced.
“As to any other allegations, the District does not comment during ongoing investigations,” the statement continued.
Waters also mentioned that Ferrell will retain his separate teaching position at the school, but there is an ongoing investigation into the baptism.
Some parents on the team stuck up for Ferrell, a former Georgia Southern football player, and commended him for baptizing their sons.
One parent, Latifa Johnson, said she is “extremely proud” of her son, and that he decided to be baptized of his own accord.
“I was extremely proud of him because he made the decision on his own. I didn’t have to hold his hand, and he did it because he wanted to,” Johnson said.
“It was so sweet because you see the boys and they looked like they wanted it,” she continued. “You know, like everyone looked excited, from the ones I was able to see. So was cheering thank you, God. Yes, yes, yes. I was all for it.”
The baptism video posted to Facebook also received a flurry of supportive comments.
But not everyone in the comments was as supportive.
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