Leaders of a Massachusetts football program are in dire straits after anti-Semitic language was allegedly used during a recent game.
The Duxbury public school system issued a statement on Monday saying its high school football team used “highly offensive language” on the field as part of a play-call system designed to make “field adjustments”.
“It is important to note that, although the players clearly demonstrated poor judgment, the responsibility for this incident also lies with the adults who oversee the program. In short, it was a systemic failure,” the school wrote in a statement signed by the superintendent of Duxbury, John Antonucci, assistant superintendent Danielle Klingaman and high school principal James Donovan.
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Football practice at Duxbury High School in Duxbury, MA on February 22, 2021. (Photo by Stan Grossfeld / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The testimony noted that part of the language had religious connotations, which were not directed at the opposing team or any individual. According to NBC Boston, the team is accused of using terms like “Auschwitz” during the 35-0 victory over Plymouth North on March 12.
“It trivializes Judaism and trivializes the Holocaust,” said Robert Trestan, regional director of the New England section of the Anti-Defamation League. “Auschwitz is one of the worst known death camps in history … there is really no place to be used as a substitute for a football game.”
Authorities said they learned of the situation last week and “immediately” initiated an investigation, which is still ongoing. They noted that the play call system was interrupted.
The statement adds that the school will institute mandatory training for football teams to understand the impact of the words used on and off the field.
“Finally, our management will be conducting a review to determine how we can integrate the elements of diversity, equity and inclusion in all of our athletic and extracurricular programs,” according to the statement.
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Longtime coach Dave Maimaron also issued a statement on Monday expressing remorse after being suspended last week for the team’s “improper conduct”, according to the Boston Herald.
“On behalf of the team and players of the Duxbury High School football team, I want to extend my apologies for the insensitive, crude and inappropriate language used in the game on March 12,” the statement said. “The use of this language was careless, unnecessary and, most importantly, damaging in appearance – inexcusable.”
“Employees and staff have been transparent and cooperative with management during this period and we have taken responsibility for the incident. We are dealing with this as a team and focusing on the lessons we can learn from it, ”he continued.
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He added that the incident did not reflect the values of the football program, high school or the city of Duxbury.