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High School Football

High school football game in Alabama postponed due to 'racially motivated' and 'violent' social media posts

Huntsville City Schools (HCS) in Huntsville, Alabama, postponed a rivalry football game between Grissom High School and Huntsville High School this week after students from both schools exchanged racially motivated and violent social media posts. 

In a statement addressed to Huntsville and Grissom high school families sent Wednesday afternoon, superintendent Christie Finley said the game, originally scheduled for Friday, is "postponed until Sept. 24."

"I was made aware of instances of inappropriate social media posts created and shared by several students," Finley said in the statement, shared with USA TODAY Sports by HCS. "These posts turned racially motivated and violent images into 'rivalry material.' The students involved in this incident trivialized racism and violence. Huntsville City Schools does not tolerate or condone racism or violence, and frankly, I expect better of our students."

Finley said postponing the game is to ensure a safe environment. 

"I do want to state that postponing the football game isn't intended to punish the students who strive to be all that we expect of our students. Instead, this postponement allows us to ensure the game environment later this month will be safe and serve as an opportunity for Huntsville and Grissom high schools to address the issues that these social media posts present."

Asked whether students involved with the social media posts could face punishment, HCS said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports: "While the district is not at liberty to discuss student punishments, the students involved in the incident will face disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s Behavioral Learning Guide." 

Finley said in the statement that Huntsville and Grissom teachers "will continue conversations surrounding respect, equity, diversity and inclusion as part of their remote lessons," and the lessons will carry on throughout the month of September. 

Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey

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