(9-15-25) At a Tennessee high school…Northwest volunteer assistant football coach Trey Campbell left a recent Friday night game. Why? Campbell refused to stop praying with students or holding his Bible as he walked the sideline.

Early reports said he was forced to leave the game, but after some investigation he left the field on his own.

Community gathers in support of Clarksville football coach amid prayer controversy

FOX NASHVILLE

Sep 13, 2025

Community members gathered Friday night at Montgomery Central High School for Friday Night Lights of Faith, showing support for Coach Trey Campbell.

Prayers echoed across the campus as supporters joined together in solidarity.

“I think what does it hurt to read a scripture verse to your team?” said Scott Comperry. Campbell, a school resource officer and volunteer coach at Northwest High School, left a game early on September 5 after district leaders said a school administrator confronted him for praying and quoting scripture.

While staff are allowed to pray, school policy and Supreme Court rulings prohibit leading others in prayer on public school grounds. School officials say Campbell voluntarily left the game.

“I think just because you don’t like what someone has to say, it doesn’t give you an excuse to silence that voice,” said community member Olivia Lupia.

Campbell joined the crowd in prayer but declined to speak on camera. He also did not participate in distributing Bibles, which some supporters did following the prayer.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School District described Campbell’s actions as “uncharacteristic,” noting that he has otherwise been a valued member of the school community.

The investigation continues in coordination with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Supporters say gatherings like Friday night’s are about more than one person.

According to schools spokesman Anthony Johnson the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is looking into the situation. He said it appears that the principal was alerted to a concern that the employee was “proselytizing” in their official capacity.

CMCSS released a statement through spokesman Anthony Johnson–

“The concerns were not about private prayer or personal religious beliefs. CMCSS fully supports and respects the constitutional rights of all students, employees and visitors to practice their faith, including the right to pray privately,” Johnson said. “However, federal law and the U.S. Constitution place limits on the actions of public employees, including educators, coaches and SROs, when they are acting in their official capacities.

“The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District affirmed an individual employee’s right to personal prayer that does not interfere with job duties or give the appearance of official school endorsement. It did not authorize public employees to lead, encourage or pressure students into religious activity. Courts have consistently ruled that public employees may not use their positions to proselytize or promote religion in school settings.”

During the investigation into the event, Campbell, who is also a school resource officer at the school has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the school resource officers.

Northwest lost the game where the incident took place to Davidson Academy 35-0, they bounced back this past Friday night beating Montgomery Central 12-0. The Vikings are 2-2 on the season…they have Dickson County (3-1) on Saturday night.