Michael Oppong is a high school football player reportedly suspended for kneeling during the national anthem (Twitter)
A Worcester, Massachusetts high school student revealed the school removed his alleged suspension for a national anthem protest over the weekend. Michael Oppong, a junior at Doherty Memorial High School, shared the news on Twitter Monday morning.
Thanks to all your love and support my suspension of 1 game has been terminated! pic.twitter.com/a8RB9c200N
— MO2 (@ShowtimeMO2) September 12, 2016
The high school junior also thanked Twitter users who supported him throughout the ordeal.
I just want to thank all of you guys for the support you all gave me throughout this whole situation and by God's grace Justice was served!
— MO2 (@ShowtimeMO2) September 12, 2016
In a statement to MassLive, Superintendent Maureen Binienda said Oppong did not violate any of Doherty Memorial’s rules.
“The Doherty student did not violate any school rule when he peacefully and silently protested during the National Anthem,” the statement read. “He exercised his Constitutional Rights without disturbing the school assembly.”
Yesterday, Oppong tweeted school officials decided to suspend him for one game because he chose to kneel beside his standing teammates as the “Star Spangled Banner” played.
My coaches and principals have decided to suspend me for 1 game.
— MO2 (@ShowtimeMO2) September 11, 2016
His message resulted in supportive messages from many online.
Natasha Mullins backed the teen.
We stand with you https://t.co/sxzHS9ZPwY
— Tasha (@tashachelsea) September 12, 2016
And international basketball player Kenny Gabriel urged the football player to “stand up for what you believe in.”
Stand up for what you believe in. That's the only way!! Sending prayers your way young fella!! https://t.co/0tlTBwcGtC
— Kenny Gabriel (@DaBoyKG22) September 12, 2016
But Oppong also faced racist trolls in the process.
https://twitter.com/ObedBlackk/status/775050249106784256
Oppong later confirmed the suspension news to a reporter for the Telegram & Gazette.
Doherty's Mike Oppong took a knee on Friday in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. Says he will be suspended for it. pic.twitter.com/Z3YendSKoq
— Carl Setterlund (@CarlSetterlund) September 11, 2016
He told the reporter why he planned to continue the protest throughout the season.
“I’m standing up for the injustice that happens to Black people every day, not just cops killing Black people,” Oppong said. “We are disrespected and mistreated everywhere because of our skin color and I’m sick of it.”
According to Black Sports Online, the suspension ruling went past football coach Sean Mulcahy and school principals ultimately made the decision.
But Binienda told the newspaper school officials never intended to remove Oppong from a game for expressing his constitutional right.
“That’s against the law,” she said. “There’s absolutely no discipline that’s happening with that.”
However, Oppong stood by his story and believed the school may be engaging in a cover-up.
Doherty's Mike Oppong responds to Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda's claim that Oppong was never suspended pic.twitter.com/PQuHMIrpfe
— Carl Setterlund (@CarlSetterlund) September 12, 2016
