Report Criticizes Paid Football Chaplains

[gtxvideo vid=”7PI55OJz” playlist=”” pid=”rkijshg2″ thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/7PI55OJz.jpg” vtitle=”usc chaplain”]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A group that advocates for the separation of church and state wants the USC Football team to stop paying its chaplain. In a letter to USC President Harris Pastides the Freedom from Religion Foundation has asked the team to remove the position. “There’s no need for a preacher on a football team. If students and student athletes want to worship and student athletes want to worship there are plenty of places on campus they can do that.” A new report released by the Freedom From Religion Foundation claims football programs at U-S-C, Clemson, Auburn and universities across the nation are using paid chaplains to religiously coerce players. “Because these coaches have such a high level of control over the players, it’s going to be very difficult for any player to step up and challenge a chaplain without risking his education, his scholarship, his playing time and his future career.” According to the group, paid football chaplains are unethical and illegal. They say it violates the separation of church and state and call into question the financial dealings. “South Carolina, Adrian Despres was paid $4500 to be a character coach to counsel players and speak to recruits but he’s actually a preacher. Steve Spurrier called him a preacher or reverend. Steve Spurrier specifically said, he’s a preacher, he preaches the word of the gospel, what we all need to hear.” The foundation is now asking universities to do away with the chaplains in an effort to protect their players rights. “If players really do need some sort of counseling and that is what universities are employing these chaplains for that they should go get a counselor, maybe a sports psychologist and hire that person who can then help and counsel every player without regard to their religion and imposing a particular religion on that player.” ABC Columbia has reached out to U-S-C for comment and have not heard back, but we spoke with students on the campus who say that as long as players aren’t being forced to attend, they see no problem with chaplains staying on. “I mean we’ve had a chaplain for who knows how long and you’re not required to participate in the events if that’s your belief and as a player you can decide if you want to go to those or not. They’re not sitting there saying you have to come to this so it’s not forcing a religion on anybody.” “It’s people’s choice to play football here so it should really just bet their choice whether they want to listen to it or not. I feel like the majority do enjoy having the whole religious aspect so I don’t think they need to be fired or anything.”