UPDATED – 9-15-20

(9-15-20) Two Little Miami (Ohio) high school football players have been suspended indefinitely. Why? On September 11th as their team ran on to the field…Jarad Bentley (father is a fireman) carried the Thin Red Line flag. Brady Williams (father is a police officer) was holding the Thin Blue Line flag.

The question is…would they have been suspended 19 years ago for doing this?

Williamd told Local 12 news after being asked if he did it for political reasons:

“No.” “Not at all. I was just doing it to honor the people that lost their lives 19 years ago.“

Superintendent Greg Powers told Local 12 news :

“We can’t have students who decide to do something anyway after they’ve been told that they shouldn’t be doing it.”

“We did not want to place ourselves in a circumstance where another family might want a different flag to come out of the tunnel, one that may be [one that] many other families may not agree with from a political perspective.”

Here is a statement sent to FOX19 Now from the school:

“Little Miami Local Schools is saddened to see this story take such a negative turn. While we understand these students’ desire show their support of our first responders, they did not obtain permission from district officials. Administrators must act when students break the rules.

“The Patriot Night program to memorialize the victims of 9/11 was already part of our pre-game ceremonies on Friday and the American flag is the first thing through the tunnel every Friday night. Little Miami enjoys an outstanding relationship with local first police and fire agencies and a Little Miami school resource officer is also a high school football coach.

“Little Miami always has – and always will – support our first responders, our veterans, and all who sacrifice to maintain our freedoms.”

On the Little Miami Schools Facebook page the following comments were made on a story about free meals for students –

*These 2 young men who have honored their Fathers should NOT be kicked off the football team. How many times do you think they wonder if their Fathers will come home at the end of their shifts? All professions have rotten apples. What a better day to honor THEIR heroes than on this special day known as Patriots Day. Disgusting

*Shame on you. Suspending kids for backing our first responders and police. This is the most pitiful display of anti-american ideology I have ever witnessed from a school district. Pitiful!! Disgraceful!!

*What is wrong with this school district? To make an un-American decision. Great way to support first responders. (sarcasm). As a former law enforcement officer, I support the boys.

*File the lawsuit before the ink dries on the suspension paperwork.

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