High School Stops 9/11 Ceremony, Principal Says It Could 'Cause Offense'

Nothing says America like apple pie, summer cookouts, and Friday night high school football.

Of course, like it has elsewhere in America, it seems political correctness has worked its way into high school sports, and an incident of political correctness at a high school in Sammamish, Washington over the weekend was particularly loathsome.

Students and even a number of parents of Eastlake High School were taken aback when they learned that a Red, White, and Blue ceremony to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11/2001 had been nixed.

The student body wasn't told that the event was canceled until early Friday, and many were confused as to why the change was made so late prior to the game against Rainier Beach.

The game had been previously canceled, then rescheduled to the day before the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Students took over and wanted to do something to remember and pay honor to those who passed away on 9/11, but the school staff intervened and stopped it at the last minute.

A local radio program covered the school's decision, and the principal said wearing those colors could “unintentionally cause offense to some who see it differently.”

Principal Chris Bede was evidently very surprised at the response of parents, who reached out and expressed their displeasure at the school's decision to cancel the event.

“Our leadership teachers made this decision and explained it to students,” Bede wrote.

“I know tomorrow is 9/11 and understand the sacrifice and values our flag represents, but I think they just did not want to unintentionally cause offense to some who see it differently."

















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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."