Ma'lik Richmond

Ma'lik Richmond.

(Keith Srakocic)

It is unconscionable that Ma'lik Richmond – a convicted Tier II sex offender who participated in the rape of an intoxicated, comatose 16-year-old girl – once again sports the uniform of the "Mighty Big Red."

The decision to allow Richmond, 18, to suit up and be cheered for his on-field exploits -- sullies the reputation of the storied Steubenville High School football team.

It sends the message that sexual assault is condoned.

It is a slap in the face of the teenage survivor – and all survivors.

It perpetuates the perception that Steubenville's culture is misogynistic and values victory over principle.

And it makes a mockery of the Steubenville City School mission: "To educate, motivate and inspire all students to achieve excellence, personal growth and social responsibility."

Consider: The Ohio High School Athletic Association requires that a student must have passed five single-credit courses the previous grading period to be eligible to participate in a team sport, according to Tim Stried, association spokesman.

Academic failure is not tolerated.

But rape, hey, no problem.

About our editorials

Editorials express the view of the

of The Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the newspaper.

• Talk about the topic of this editorial in the comments below.

• Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

• Email general questions or comments about the editorial board to Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director for the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The athletic association describes the situation as "horrible" in a press release, but it takes no responsibility for its do-nothing role in allowing Richmond to return to gridiron glory.

"This is a local school decision," the release states.

Steubenville football coach Reno Saccoccia did not return a call for comment, but he defended his decision to put Richmond back on the roster in a television interview. "I feel he has earned a second chance."

Richmond and fellow teammate Trent Mays were found delinquent in juvenile court in March 2013 of raping the West Virginia teen.

Richmond was sentenced to a year in a youth detention facility. He served nine months and returned to Steubenville high school in January. Richmond was also classified as a sex offender, which requires him to register with law enforcement officials every six months.

Mays – who was also found guilty of taking nude photos of his victim and sending them out through social media -- is still serving a two-year sentence.

During the trial, Saccoccia's name surfaced in texts sent by Mays after the rape. "I got Reno," one read. "He took care of it and s-— ain't gonna happen." Another text alluded to the coach joking about assault with Mays.

Saccoccia was not charged and kept his job, despite an online petition that demanded his dismissal and collected nearly 138,000 signatures. (A petition that supported him garnered 741 signatures.)

The interim Steubenville schools superintendent – who replaced Mike McVey – did not return a call for comment.

McVey goes on trial Monday on charges of obstructing justice, tampering with evidence and other felonies relating to the cover-up of the rape.

Meanwhile, Saccoccia – now in the fourth year of a five-year contract – welcomed Richmond back to the fold.

The news broke that Richmond was practicing with the team on Monday, August 11, exactly two years to the day after the rape occurred.

To be fair, Richmond did his time. Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the juvenile justice system. He has earned the right to graduate from Steubenville High School.

But Richmond does not belong on the football team. He lost that privilege with his felony conviction for committing an abhorrent crime.

What makes his re-instatement even more reprehensible is that Deric Lostutter – aka KYAnonymous, who blew the whistle on the tweets and Instagram photos witnesses and other football players posted about the rape – is still the target of a federal investigation involving potential violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Lostutter faces 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted, according to his attorneys.

He can live with that. "It's worth it for supporting Jane Doe," Lostutter says. "What is Steubenville doing to support her?"

The answer: Nothing.

And that is the real crime.