MHS discontinues kneeling

Kip Mayes, Reporter & Editor

Monroe High is now enforcing a rule that states players are encouraged not to kneel for the injured during games. This rule was posted on the MHS Trojans athletics page on Sept. 22 and reads “Ladies and Gentlemen, through an agreement of the coaches in the SEC, and by recommendation of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association, teams will move to their sidelines during an injury timeout to allow coaches and trainers needed space. Players will maintain a posture of respect, but will no longer take a knee due to the potential for cramping, which could lead to future injuries. Thank you for your understanding.”

 

At a freshman football game on Thursday, Sept. 21, a member of the opposing team from Hartland had been injured during a game. Both teams stepped to the sidelines to let paramedics and coaches through, but were told not to kneel. This did not make some people from our stands very happy and resulted in them making our team kneel.

 

Chris Clark, MHS teacher and football coach, said he found this absurd.

 

“The rule has been in place for many years, and I think the parents acted very inappropriately,” said Clark. “The rule isn’t intended to offend anyone, but is there to keep our players safe and prevent them from cramping during a game.”

 

When kneeling, muscles can tighten which results in the cramping of the legs and can lead to tissue damage in the muscles. Teams have time to stretch and warm up before games to avoid this, but are not always given time after kneeling to warm up again.

 

Freshman football player Julius Kneeham mentions the recent controversy in the NFL about kneeling during the National Anthem.

 

“I know that a lot of people are heated about people kneeling during the anthem so I think this new rule might have to do with that,” said Julius. “I just think people need to understand that this is for our safety and nothing else.”