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High School Football Coach Ordered To Stop Prayers

Ryan Duncan

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that advocates the separation of Church and State, has reportedly asked a North Carolina football coach to cease praying with his players. Hal Capps is the head coach at Mooresville High School in North Carolina, he is also an open and devout Christian. Capps has been recognized by students for his habit of praying with the football players before team events and encouraging students to attend church. While much of the community has rallied around Capps in support, the FRF has maintained its stance on the coaches activates. Their attorney, Patrick Elliot, wrote to the school system last fall saying,

“It is a violation of the Constitution for the Mooresville High School football coach to organize, lead, or participate in prayers or other religious proselytizing before, during, or after games and practices…It’s really inappropriate, wrong and unconstitutional for a coach to try to use that position to try and convert people to his religion,”

Capps has declined to be interviewed but stated that he and the team were moving forward.

*Published 2/4/2014