Heard prayer at a public high school football game? Here's what Florida law says
At some Florida high schools, a new pregame ritual has been added to the docket this season.
A stadium-wide prayer, including at public schools.
Is this practice legal?
As it turns out, it is, as of this past May.
Here’s how it came to happen:
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Original request for game prayers came in 2015
In 2015, Cambridge Christian School in Tampa wished to organize a group prayer over the loudspeaker in its state championship game against Jacksonville’s University Christian School at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) barred the school from doing so and, in response, Cambridge Christian sued the FHSAA and said it violated its first amendment rights.
The case worked its way through the courts and, last April, U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell sided with the FHSAA. Judge Honeywell noted the association is “a state actor” and didn’t violate its first amendment rights.
Cambridge Christian then appealed to Atlanta’s 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
New Florida law alters situation
The Florida Department of Education in August 2022 announced its support for Cambridge Christian, but a new wrinkle to the story came in May, when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 225 into law.
The bill allows schools to make “opening remarks” before games, including prayer. The law states remarks can’t be longer than two minutes in length, and that the FHSAA can not review or control their content.
However, the remarks must not be “rude or derogatory” and an announcement has to be made that the views don’t represent the opinions of the FHSAA.
At the bill signing, held at Cambridge Christian’s campus, DeSantis said schools have a right to free expression of religion.
“If government is denying your right to say a prayer before the game they are infringing your speech,” DeSantis said.
What’s the status in court?
In response to the new law, the FHSAA asked the 11th circuit court to dismiss the case.
In a brief filed in June, the association argued for dismissal, since CCS would have the opportunity to conduct a group prayer if it returns to a state championship game. In addition, it claims that since the Florida Legislature passed the law, the FHSAA can’t undo it.
The bill was one of many in the last year which overhauled the FHSAA and its organizational structure.
Attorneys for Cambridge Christian would still like the case to proceed. They say the FHSAA needs to adopt new policies to safeguard the ability to pray at championship games.
Jesse Panuccio, a lawyer from Boies Schiller and Flexner, which is representing the school, argued in court that the law doesn’t secure legal relief for the school.
“That is a constitutional judgment that they’ve come to and that would override any state law according to them,” Panuccio stated. “As far as we can tell, the prayer ban is still in place.”
The circuit court hasn’t said when it will hand down its decision.
For now, though, it appears prayer at games will be allowed for public schools unless the Florida Legislature passes a law in the future undoing such practice.
Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida high school football games see stadium-wide prayers
