LEITNER i.ii I i,.i i"u,.

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January 30,2017

D. Scott Bennett, Member

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Tallan Building
200 West ML King Blvd.
Fifth Floor
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Main 423.265.0214
Fax 423.266.5490
To I l- Free 800.421..O97 9

VIA EMAIL - (rmarkert@ffrf.orq)

And U.S. MAIL

Direct 423.424.3900
Direct Fax 423.308.0900
scott. bennett@ leitnerfirm.com

Rebecca S. Markert, Esq.

Staff Attorney
Freedom from Religion Foundation
P. O. Box 750
Madison, Wl 53701

Re:

Your Letter of January 27,2017

Dear Rebecca:

Thank you for your recent letter in which you raise concerns about what you believe to have
been a coach-led prayer during a September 9,2016 football game between Central High School and
East Ridge High School. We have investigated your concerns, and we believe there may have been
a misunderstanding.
You are correct that these teams played on September 9, 2016. Toward the end of this game,
a Central High School player was seriously injured. Medical staff summoned an ambulance onto the
field; at the time the young man was being loaded into the ambulance, he had no feeling below his
waist.
Players from both teams were emotional. Coaches worked to console their players, and
fans watched nervously from the sideline.

During these tense minutes, a local youth pastor was asked to pray for the young man. This
pastor happens to be a graduate of Central High School and a former quarterback for its football
team. He regularly attends games and stands on the sideline cheering on young men who attend his
church. Coincidently, he was the youth pastor of the injured player.
During the prayers, a number of students circled around the pastor. Out of respect for the
injured player and the young men who were praying, many coaches and officials also bowed their
heads. No coaches led any prayer. They simply joined with their teams in the shadow of what then
appeared to be a profound tragedy. Rather than being an unconstitutional endorsement of religion,
this was human compassion at its finest.
1

I am pleased to report that, although the young man suffered a serious concussion, he has fully recovered from his
injuries.

www.leitnedirm.com

January 30,2017
Page 2 of 2

School system officials understand that they may not endorse any particular religious practice,
including student-led prayer, and we do not believe that any constitutional boundaries were violated in
this situation. Even so, the school system plans to provide additional training to its employees on the
application of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in the public schools.

We hope and trust that this letter answers the concerns you raised in your January 27,2017
letter. Should you have any additional concerns, however, please do not hesitate to contact us at
your convenience.

Very truly yours,

D. SCOTT BENNETT
For the Firm

DSB/jm2