California High School Forfeits Game Over Captain’s Social Media Post
A California high school football team forfeited a game after students protested a captain’s controversial social media post.
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In Santa Rosa, California, a high school football team forfeited a game after a mass student protest over a team captain’s social media post. Over 200 students from Piner Junior Senior High School walked out of class on October 9 and marched 2.5 miles to the Santa Rosa City Schools district offices, demanding accountability for the captain’s post.
Protest Over ‘Free the Cornell 7’ Post
The protest was sparked by the team captain’s Instagram post on October 2, which read “Free the Cornell 7.” Cheerleaders reportedly first spotted the post while traveling to a game in Napa and helped organize the protest. Students wore white shirts with red and teal handprints, symbolizing their stance against the post.
The captain, a minor whose name has been withheld, responded to criticism in an Instagram story, mocking the “cancel him” and “he supports rape” reactions. He emphasized his rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, stating, “Y’all don’t scare me” and telling critics to “Grow up.”
Forfeit and School Response
The next day, the Piner Prospectors forfeited their Saturday game against Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo. Coach Adam Rosenstein and athletic director Ryan Riddle cited a shortage of healthy players, noting only five linemen were available despite 33 players on the roster.
The forfeit dropped Piner to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play. School officials acknowledged the season has been challenging, but the timing of the forfeit, just a day after the walkout, has drawn scrutiny.
Students argued that the captain should not be representing the team while publicly supporting individuals facing serious allegations. A senior student, Aiyanna, told The Press Democrat, “He doesn’t deserve to be representing us.”
Disciplinary Action and School Statement
A parent of a cheerleader noted the captain was barred from a team dinner on Thursday due to making cheerleaders “uncomfortable.” Piner Principal Andrea Correia issued a statement condemning sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. School district officials confirmed they were investigating the social media post and reviewing potential disciplinary action under district policies.
By Monday, Santa Rosa City Schools public information officer Patrick Gannon confirmed the school and district had reprimanded the minor under a “zero-tolerance” policy for “making light of sexual assault.” Specifics of the punishment were not released.
Gannon emphasized the district’s stance, stating, “We don’t tolerate making light of sexual assault. That’s why we have a zero-tolerance policy.”
Source: The Gateway Pundit
