West Point Investigating Prayer Led by Coaches after Football Game
ICC Note: After receiving a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), the United States Military Academy is investigating a prayer led by coaches after a recent Army football game. The head of the MRFF claims that he received complaints from six different members of the team, as well as many alumni and staff members who took issue with the prayer practice. This is one of many recent instances of the crackdown on public prayer at school athletic events.
By Bradford Richardson
09/09/2016 United States (The Washington Times) – The U.S. Military Academy is launching an inquiry into a prayer led by coaches following Army’s opening-day victory over Temple last week.
Video of the post-game invocation was pulled offline on Monday after West Point officials received a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.
Mikey Weinstein, who heads the MRFF, said he received complaints from six members of the football team, two of whom he said identified as Christians, as well as dozens of Army graduates and staff who took exception to the religious expression.
He said the video showed head coach Jeff Monken directing an assistant coach to lead the team in a prayer, which reportedly concluded with the name of Jesus.
Although the video is no longer available online, a cached version of the post on the West Point Facebook page shows a thumbnail of football players kneeling with their heads down and arms outstretched on one another.