A California high school footballteam has been suspended for a week after their behavior towards a rival side infuriated officials.
The Victor Valley High School football teamdominated Apple Valley High School this past Friday on their home turf, 20-7, and won the so-called “Bell Game.”
But because of their braggadocious behavior, which also included their mascot flipping the bird to the stands, the school suspended the team and forfeited their next game.
Victor Valley High School Superintendent Carl J. Coles and Principal Darius Robinson issued a joint statement saying that a “line was crossed” by players.
“Members of the Victor Valley High School football team behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner toward the opposing team and its fans, including offensive gestures and language,” Coles and Robinson said in a statement.
“There is a clear line between passionate competition and unacceptable conduct. That line was crossed at the Bell Game on Friday, September 11,” the statement added.
A video circulating on social media showed the Jackrabbits mascot prancing around on the school’s track and flipping off the opposing sideline.
The decision to suspend the entire team and coaching staff from football activities this week “reflects the seriousness with which [the school] holds [their] athletic programs accountable,” the statement reads.
“Over the coming week, school leaders and district administration will work directly with the coaching staff and football team to address what occurred, review our athletic code of conduct, and reinforce the standards required of every student-athlete and coach representing Victor Valley High School,” the statement reads in part.
“There will be accountability, there will be reflection, and there will be a clear expectation that this cannot happen again.”
“We are proud of our student-athletes, but athletic success cannot take precedence over character,” it continues. “Our responsibility as educators is not simply to develop better athletes; it is to develop better human beings.”
Coles and Robinson apologized to Apple Valley High School for their team’s conduct.
It’s unclear what exactly the football team itself did to earn the suspension. Videos also showed the team throwing up signs after the game.
A different videoshowed the Jackrabbits mascot pushing over the Apple Valley mascot on the sideline.
The high school football team will have to wait until the Friday after next to play in a game.
Victor Valley High School is located in Victorville, which is about 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County.
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