Oklahoma, South Carolina High Schools Ban American Flags at Football Games

In case it “blocked the view of the game” or… taunted Hispanics.

8.31.2016

Several students from Owasso High School in Oklahoma were turned away from Friday night’s football game because they were bringing American flags into the stadium for the opening game which was “USA-themed.”

According to EAGnews.org, senior Brandon Conrad told KFAQ that the school’s principal had approved the patriotic gear, but the athletic director said otherwise. Police turned the students away and told them to return the flags to their cars. Video of Conrad's ejection from the premises appeared online and prompted a response from school officials.

District spokeswoman Amy Flitcher said it probably happened because the flags would block people’s view:

“The students, in fact our students, run on the field with an American flag and so the only thing we will review is what items in the student section would give the best game day experience for our students, the people behind them.”

That same night in South Carolina, something similar happened at Travelers Rest High School when the principal banned American flags for their football game. Principal Lou Lavely was concerned that students might taunt Hispanic students with the flag, so he issued a ban “in the best interests of all attending the game and in the spirit of patriotism and respect for our flag.”

Local police patrolling that game said indicated they weren’t pleased about “the flag-screening business.”

Cooler heads prevailed at Travelers Rest, as the administration has since reversed the ban and decided it would take up any “inappropriate behavior” or “misuse of the flag” on an individual basis.

Only in America.