A row has erupted after an Oregon high school football player tackled a member of the opposing team carrying an American flag onto the field this past weekend.
Video circulating online shows a Jefferson High School player running into a Grant High School player as the rival team ran onto the field before Friday’s match-up at Jefferson in Portland, KATU reported.
The footage shows the Jefferson player tackling the Grant player to the ground and knocking the American flag out of his hands. The player leaves the flag on the field as he stands to chase the rival player away.
The Oregon School Activities Association said the Jefferson player was ejected from the game over his conduct.
“Rivalry game or not, there’s no place for this behavior before, during, or after a game,” the group said.
The association said it does not comment on disciplinary measures. However, students who are ejected are typically removed from participation for the rest of the day and may also face a one-game suspension. Some students may also be required to complete a sportsmanship course, according to KATU.
Portland Public Schools said that the student-athlete “allowed his emotions to override his judgment in the heat of the moment.” Both schools fall under the Portland Public Schools district. The district backed officials’ decision to eject the player from the game.
The district also noted in a statement to KATU that the incident had “nothing whatsoever to do with the American flag.”
The Independent has contacted Jefferson High School, Grant High School and Portland Public Schools for comment.
The Jefferson football team acknowledged the incident on Instagram before deleting the team’s account, according to Fox News.
“The video was not intended to disrespect the American flag,” a since-deleted post read, according to Fox. “However, there was disrespect shown toward Jefferson by Grant players and members of their coaching staff before the game, and if you were there to witness what happened, you would understand the full context.”
The post continued: "There was an option to go around the field, but they chose not to. This was our last game ever on Jefferson Field, our Senior Night, and Homecoming. This was a special and emotional night for our school, our seniors, our players, and our community. What happened before the game was not appropriate, especially given the significance of the occasion. If you have an issue with the video or with me personally for posting it, you can address that with me directly.
"I am willing to take accountability for my own actions and for the content I choose to post. However, you will not use this situation as an excuse to be racist toward my students, my players, our staff, or anyone who represents Jefferson. They do not deserve to be targeted or disrespected because of a rivalry or a video posted online.”
It concluded: “At Jefferson, we are proud of who we are. We are Black, Hispanic, white, and people from many different backgrounds who come together as one school and one community. Our diversity is something to be proud of, not something to attack.”
Friday’s football game ended with Grant winning 35-14. Jefferson’s record dropped to 1-6, while Grant is 6-1.