David Douglas High School football players face racism at away games, coach says

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – David Douglas High School coaches say racism has no place in high school sports, yet that’s what their football players are experiencing at away games.

Assistant Coach Marcell Frazier told KOIN 6 News that student athletes and coaches continue to face racist comments and hate speech on and off the field.

According to Frazier, the school represents one of the most diverse and underserved student populations in Portland — adding that for many of his athletes, football serves as more than a passion, but also an escape. That’s why he said it’s been devastating to build up these young players only for fans and students to try and tear them down on the field.

“We were just very concerned that folks aren't taking this serious: Between two days and Nelson, we heard ‘King Kong,’ we heard the N-word, we heard monkey sounds, and then our fans were almost assaulted,” Frazier said.

Forest Grove police report that they have been working to identify a man who reportedly drove up to the team's bus after their first away game, making ape sounds and gestures at the Black coach and staff before speeding off.

Then things escalated at the JV away game against Rex Putnam, when Frazier said a player brought the game to a halt: “'What's going on man,' in tears he says to me, 'They're calling me the N-word coach.’”

Frazier said a player was again called a racial slur during last Thursday’s JV game against Adrienne Nelson High School in Clackamas.

Despite both incidents pausing the game and being reported to the athletic director, Frazier said no one was ejected. During Friday's varsity game against Nelson, Frazier said fans faced the brunt of the behavior as the school’s principal confirmed students threw cake into the away stands to cause chaos. 

“Our kids are already facing enough. Just showing up to school is a freaking battle. Just finding food to eat when they go home is a freaking battle,” Frazier said. “And then you go out and you see them get subjected to racism and abuse, and you see the tears in their eyes, and it just, you know, it breaks your heart as an adult.”

After being notified of the incidents over the weekend, the Oregon School Activities Association said they are working with the school’s administrators as they investigate what happened and hold bad actors accountable — adding that these “types of behaviors are unacceptable and simply have no place in high school sports; they will not be tolerated.  The OSAA remains committed to working alongside member schools in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all at interscholastic events."

Additionally, the Forest Grove School District shared the following statement:

“The Forest Grove School District stands firm in our commitment to create a school environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive and that supports the diversity of our student population and our community as a whole. We also extend this commitment to those who visit our district and community from other schools. Racially targeted language and behaviors are abhorrent. The District thoroughly investigates and responds to each incident...

Our student athletes and the student athletes of visiting schools work extremely hard to be at their best while competing. They deserve to compete in an environment that is safe from hateful speech and actions. We will continue to exert our best efforts to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students, staff, and visitors.”

And Greg Harris, the principal of Adrienne C. Nelson High School, wrote to the David Douglas community:

"To the David Douglas High School community: as a district that directly borders ours, we extend our deepest and most sincere apologies. You came to our campus as guests, and you deserved to be treated with respect and dignity. We fell far short of that, and for that we are sincerely sorry. More than that, though, we are committed to make meaningful and tangible changes to show that we truly respect and value your school and your community. Please know that I have been working alongside the David Douglas administrative staff throughout the weekend and will continue to do so to learn, grow, and put into action these words...

Although we still have much to learn about the details of these allegations, we are committed to continuing to work closely with the David Douglas High School community as well as our own student leadership and Black Student Union to put into place actions that show our commitment to the values we hold. Apologies are only meaningful when they are partnered with action. It is with this sentiment that I will continue to engage with our entire community to move forward and do better."

But Frazier said, “I don't care for statements; I don't care for emails."

Instead, he wants action, including OSAA’s bylaws regarding hate speech and the ejection and suspension of those responsible. 

“If we are a beacon of progressiveness in the state of Oregon, we have to have a zero-tolerance policy for racism on the plane, because we know sports is usually the great equalizer,” Frazier said. “It's usually where equality happens first, and it seems like that's where equality is currently happening last."