Atheist group attacks Christian football coach

Coach accused of forcing religion on his players

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) group has accused Georgia football coach Mark Richt of forcing his beliefs onto the college football players.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Telegraph reported the FFRF accused Richt and his brother-in-law Kevin "Chappy" Hynes, a chaplain for the team, of using their positions to force Christianity onto players.

"We're at a secular university, I understand that. I don't try to make anyone believe a certain way at all," explained Richt. "Anything that has to do with The Spirit is strictly voluntary and never has any bearing on someone's availability to play at Georgia. It's always been that way."

While football-related activities are mandatory, religious participation is not, Richt states. "I encourage them to grow spiritually but I don't tell them what to believe in. Everything we do is strictly voluntary in that regard."

While there are no comments available from the college players, FFRF has made a stand and claims Richt used his position to raise money for the chaplain position and for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The atheist group reports, "At a gala event in the Butts-Mehre football complex in July of 2014, Richt helped bring in big money for the FCA. The gala featured a silent auction with UGA memorabilia, including an 'authentic Todd Gurley home red jersey.'"

FFRF states, "Some coaches think that students need to be Christian in order to be good people."
The group released Pray to Play, a 25-page booklet that claims coaches and chaplains forcing their faith on players at American public universities.

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