Girl cut from football team to "curb boys' impure thoughts"

[redheadbaker]

www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/girl-12-reportedly-cut-christian-school-football-team-article-1.1379514

Girl cut from Christian school football team to curb boys’ ‘impure’ thoughts

Madison Baxter, a 12-year-old from Jackson, Ga., dreamed about a career in football. But after Strong Rock Christian School’s CEO prayed about it, he reportedly decided that having a girl on the team was not God’s will.


Madison Paige Baxter, known as 'Maddy' to her friends, played for Strong Rock Christian School’s football team in sixth grade. But the school’s CEO says she can’t play in seventh grade.

A 12-year-old football player was punted off her private Christian school’s football team — just because she’s a girl.

Madison Paige Baxter spent the past year playing football for Strong Rock Christian School, a pre-K to 12th grade private academy in Locust Grove, Ga. Her middle school coach, principal and teammates are behind her 100%, mom Cassy Blythe told The News. But the school’s CEO and board have recently given Baxter the boot for reasons her mom calls “archaic.”

During a private meeting earlier this month, the shocked mother said she heard school CEO Patrick Stuart quote the Bible while explaining just why girls and boys shouldn't play on the same team.

“He said the boys are coming of age and starting to have impure thoughts and might lust after her,” Blythe said. “He said the locker room talk isn’t appropriate for her. [RHB Comment: An article on USAToday reports that the school implemented a policy that states: “Middle school girls play girls’ sports and middle school boys play boys’ sports.”]

Maddy Baxter, 12, played on the defensive line for her pre-Ka to 12th grade school's football team. But Strong Rock Christian School's CEO says she can't anymore, because she might cause the boys on her team to have 'impure thoughts.'

“And he said he’s been praying about it and came to the conclusion that he was making the right decision for the school.”

Because Strong Rock is a private institution, the CEO reminded Blythe that the board was allowed to decide what is best for its pupils.

Administrators at Strong Rock could not be reached for comment.

Maddy Baxter's mom, Cassy Blythe, is a former cop. 'I was in a male-dominated field, but I was accepted and welcome,' Blythe said. Regarding her 12-year-old daughter, who had been on her school's otherwise all-boy football team, she said, 'I still can’t understand why they don’t want a female to play.'

Blythe, a former police officer, said she still didn’t understand Stuart’s decision. She identifies as a Christian but doesn’t believe God would ever tell someone to show anything but love and respect.

“How could we possibly be praying about the same thing? When he prays, he’s being told to discriminate based on gender. But when I pray, I’m told to fight,” Blythe said. “Sometimes, I just wonder if we’re praying to the same God.”

Blythe’s little girl was crushed by the news. Baxter started playing football on the playground in the second grade. Last year, her mom said she played on the defensive line and was able to take and give hits — sometimes better than the boys on her team.

Cassy Blythe says her daughter Maddy, pictured here, has always played sports. 'We’re hoping at the very least that the school can change its policies, so that all little girls who are qualified can play,' the mom said.

“It’s a really fun sport, an amazing experience,” the 12-year-old told The News. “It teaches you all sorts of values. It was the best decision of my life to play.”

Baxter’s teammates have been her friends ever since the first grade. So taking her out of the team will rip her away from her buddies.

The mom and daughter pair have started a campaign on Facebook dedicated to female athletes. The “Let Her Play ” page has accumulated more than 3,000 “likes” since it was created Tuesday.

Hundreds have flocked to show their support on 12-year-old footballer Maddy Baxter’s Facebook page called 'Let Her Play.'

If Strong Rock doesn’t accept her daughter the way she is, Blythe says they might consider switching to another school.

For now, Baxter is waiting at home, hoping for another chance to get on the field.

“The ultimate goal is to have the school change and let girls play,” Baxter said. “And to show others that women are actually stronger than people believe.”

[IIOY]

Boys will be boys!

[Velar Fricative]

RAGE.

Is there anything the family can do considering this took place at a private Christian school?

[hellfreezesovertour]

impure thoughts not ok but impure locker room talk is ok

[summer]

Excuse me? This didn't happen in Saudi Arabia??? This was in America??

GTFOH with that nonsense.

[Chuppathingy]

Does Title 9 still apply to a private school? I'm just wondering if anyone knows. Does it make any difference that she's been allowed to play in prior years?

Sent from my SGH-T889 using proboards

[cattledogkisses]

I would speak with my pocketbook and give them one less tuition check. I doesn't sound like this family's beliefs are compatible with the school's brand of Christianity anyway.