PORTLAND, Ore. – During recent high school football games, players from David Douglas High School have faced troubling racism, a practice that has outraged coaches and parents alike. Assistant Coach Marcell Frazier stated that both student athletes and coaching staff have been subjected to racist taunts and hate speech during away games. With David Douglas being one of the most diverse schools in the region, these incidents hit particularly hard as football is not just a sport, but an important escape for many young players.
Frazier described the behavior as shocking and painful, especially as the athletes have been preparing hard for their games. “We heard racial slurs, including ‘King Kong’ and the N-word, along with monkey sounds from the crowd,” he stated. “Our players are already facing enough challenges, and to have them subjected to this type of abuse just adds to their burdens.”
The situation escalated at a recent game against Rex Putnam High School. Frazier said a player was so upset by racial slurs that he had to pause the game to express his hurt. Unfortunately, a similar incident happened again during a game against Adrienne Nelson High School in Clackamas, where players faced derogatory comments.
Despite these serious incidents being reported to the athletic director, Frazier noted that no one was ejected from the games, which has raised concerns among the team and their supporters. Moreover, at the varsity game against Nelson, chaos ensued when students reportedly threw cake into the stands where David Douglas fans were seated.
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has been notified and is now investigating the incidents, stating that such behaviors are unacceptable in high school sports. They are committed to ensuring a safe environment for all student-athletes. In addition, the Forest Grove School District expressed its stance against racism and pledged to thoroughly investigate each incident.
Frazier emphasized the need for action, not just words. “I don’t care for statements; I don’t care for emails,” he said, demanding strict measures against those responsible for hate speech on and off the field. “If we want to be seen as progressive, we must enforce zero-tolerance policies for racism, especially since sports should be where equality begins.”
