Statement from schools superintendent Kirk Kelly

As you know, the Times Free Press ran a story this morning about a possible protest at the Brainerd High School football game this evening. As soon as this came to our attention, our leadership team quickly assembled in order to obtain as much information as possible and to develop a plan to support the players and the school. Here is what we learned:



1) The players knew nothing about a plan for a protest.



2) The principal knew nothing about a plan for a protest.



3) It was not until the article came out that players and the principal became aware of the situation.





To confirm, there is no plan for the players to protest this evening at the Brainerd football game. Assistant Superintendent Zac Brown has made two visits to Brainerd High today to meet with players, coaches and administrators. He has also spoken with school administrators in Marion County. Assistant Superintendent Lee McDade has spoken with Marion County and Hamilton County law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for tonight's game.



Teachers and coaches are entitled to their personal views on matters of public concern. However, they are not permitted to use their position as school system employees as a platform to express those views, nor are they permitted to use their position as authority figures to impress those views on students.



Several members of our leadership team (myself, Zac Brown, Jill Levine and Justin Robertson) plan to attend the game tonight to support the team. Our focus will be on the students and what we expect to be a great football game.



Thank you for your concern and input. Please reach out to us as needed with additional questions and comments.

Just spoke with Brainerd principal Uras Agee, there will not be a silent protest tonight by the football team #bestofpreps — Stephen Hargis (@StephenHargis) September 16, 2016

UPDATE: There won't be any silent protest by the Brainerd High School football team during the national anthem before tonight's game at Marion County.

According to Brainerd principal Uras Agee, head football coach Brian Gwyn did not authorize any planned protest. After speaking with the coaching staff and players, Agee said he wanted to make it clear that he would never have authorized a protest.

"In response to the statement made by Coach Gwyn, I want to say it doesn't represent myself as principal or anyone on our staff," Agee said. "We in no way condone any protest or actions by our students or staff that pertains to our flag or patriotism. Nor was there ever any intentions or plan to do so. We would never protest the flag. We support our military and our veterans. We have veterans on our staff and faculty.

"No way in form or fashion was that going to happen. I have spoken with the Marion County staff to make sure that's known. Tonight at the football game there should be nothing but complete patriotism and respect for the flag from both sides.

"To set the record straight we have worked very hard to work on the culture and climate in our school," Agee continued. "We have a great school. Never have I felt anything but complete respect from my faculty and staff. There's a mutual respect for everyone in the building, among the faculty, staff and parents.

"Coach Gwyn stands alone and disputes some of the things that were said."

Coach Gwyn told the Times Free Press Friday morning that he had believed a portion of the interview he gave on Thursday was off the record. However, at no time did he request to be off the record. The Times Free Press stands by its story.

--- Original story ---

For several weeks, Brian Gwyn had watched and listened to both sides of the debate over NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest against social injustice. The Brainerd High School football coach discussed the issue with his players and decided there was only one point with which he disagreed.

"I don't believe any individual should make a statement that takes away from the team, but this is an issue that needs to have attention brought to it," Gwyn said. "If you're going to bring attention to an important issue, it needs to be done in a way that shows unity."

Kaepernick has drawn national attention recently, first by sitting during the playing of the national anthem before games, then by kneeling during the anthem.

Tonight, before Brainerd takes the field to play Region 3-2A rival Marion County, Gwyn and each of the Panthers players will stand for the national anthem, bow their heads and place their closed right fists over their hearts.

"That's the symbol of black power, and I think that's a fitting way to make a statement about this issue and do it in a way that we're united together," Gwyn explained. "Let's be honest, there is still racism in our country, and we need to shed light on it and make it so that that changes for the next generation.

"I deal with racism every day. It may not be in-your-face or name-calling, but when I stand up in a faculty meeting to speak, I see white faculty who look uninterested in what I have to say or roll their eyes. It's not just me. I see how they react when our principal [Uras Agee, who is also black] or other black faculty speaks. It feels like they respect the title, but not the person. It's very frustrating."

Brainerd's student population is around 94 percent black, the highest among Hamilton County schools.

Kaepernick, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers, has come under fire not for his stance on social injustice, but rather for the fact that he refuses to stand for the national anthem. That act has overshadowed the basis of his original protest, leading more people to discuss whether it is disrespectful to sit or kneel during the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" rather than debating the issue of social injustice.

Gwyn agreed that sitting or even kneeling during the national anthem can be seen as disrespectful, which led him to the idea of how he will lead his team in protest.

"The flag to me does not represent the military," Gwyn said. "It represents equal rights, freedom and justice, and I believe there is a good portion of the black community that still feels we don't have equality or justice.

"I respect the military. I have family who have served and even fought overseas. I love our military and run my program off the principles of the military. So it's not about disrespecting the military. It's about finding a way to bring attention to the fact that there is injustice in this country and it needs to be talked about.

"Things are changing. It isn't the same as it was for my parents or grandparents, and it's not the same for this generation of kids as it was for me. But this new generation needs to understand we can still break down barriers, and to do so, it takes taking a unified stand."

During games, many high school teams are not yet on the field during the national anthem. And while there were several reports of individual high school players across the nation who chose to kneel during the national anthem last Friday, Brainerd's planned silent protest might be the first to include an entire team.

John Starr coached for more than 30 years in Georgia and is in his first season as head coach at Howard High, which has a student population that is 73 percent black and 20 percent Hispanic.

"I one hundred percent disagree with protesting during the national anthem," said Starr, who is black. "What does that say to servicemen and women who have fought and even died for our country?

"We absolutely need to bring attention to racism and social injustice, but I'm just not in favor of doing anything besides standing at attention to the flag during the national anthem."

In a survey of more than 20 head football coaches from the tri-state area, 16 said they had not had any players request to protest during the national anthem, and five others refused to comment on the subject.

"It's hard for me to judge someone else when I can't fully understand what it is like to be a different race," said Bradley Central coach Damon Floyd, who is white. "I have a lot of respect for our military and hope that there is another way to bring awareness."

Brainerd only has two home games this season and has already played one of them. The Panthers' remaining schedule is made up mostly of opposing schools from rural white communities, beginning with tonight's game. When asked if he feared backlash, the 42-year-old Gwyn shook his head no, simply saying, "Not at all."

"We completely respect the flag and what the Stars and Stripes mean to so many Americans," said first-year Central head coach Cortney Braswell, who is black. "But I also recognize that a part of those freedoms afforded to us is a right to free speech or to demonstrate peacefully.

"I understand that tolerance, despite my disagreement, is exactly what freedom is about."

Contact staff writer Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis