On September 11, 2020, Little Miami High School hosted a football game. When the athletes came running out of the tunnel, Jarad Bentley carried the “Thin Blue Line” flag to honor fallen police officers and Brady Williams carried the “Thin Red Line” flag to honor fallen fire fighters. The boys thought this would be a fitting tribute on the 19th anniversary of the attacks on our country that killed over 3,000 Americans.<\/p>\n
A day before the game, the students asked if they could carry these flags onto the field. They claim they were given permission. However, prior to the game, the decision switched. The boys were told they could not. After conferring with the team, the two boys decided to do it anyway. After the game, the boys were suspended. \u201cWe can\u2019t have students who decide to do something anyway after they\u2019ve been told that they shouldn\u2019t be doing it,\u201d said superintendent Gregory Power.<\/p>\n
Within a few days of community pressure, the suspension was reversed. Both boys were reinstated. Kellie Williams, mother of Brady Williams was proud of her son for exercising his first amendment rights, saying, \u201cSometimes standing for something that\u2019s right, means you may stand alone. I\u2019m proud of the son we have raised. A son that knows right from wrong. He knows the importance of honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice at a time when he wasn\u2019t even born.”<\/p>\n
Kellie went on to argue that if some athletes can kneel while the National Anthem is played and carry “Black Lives Matter,” signs, she argues that other kids can exercise their first amendment rights as well.<\/p>\n