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| Muslim athletes sue, call coach biased |
| 2006-09-01 |
| Three former New Mexico State University football players--all Muslims--have sued the university and coach Hal Mumme, alleging they were dismissed from the team because of their religious beliefs. The federal lawsuit was filed this week by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Mu'Ammar Ali and brothers Anthony and Vincent Thompson. The lawsuit alleges religious discrimination and violations of the athletes' right to freely exercise their religion. The suit said Mumme had players recite the Lord's Prayer after each practice and before each game. Ali and the Thompsons said that practice made them feel like outcasts and caused them to pray separately from the other players. The suit says the Thompsons were dismissed from the team last September, allegedly because they moved their belongings to an unapproved locker and were labeled "troublemakers." The ACLU had filed a grievance against Mumme last year, alleging he repeatedly questioned Ali about Al Qaeda. In response, New Mexico State hired an Albuquerque law firm to investigate, and the law firm concluded the football program had not engaged in religious discrimination against the three Muslim athletes. Mumme said at a news conference in November that he apologized to his team for any unintentional actions on his part that may have offended anyone. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #6 Stopping to pray during a downfield run was the real deal-breaker. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-09-01 13:48 |
| #5 Mumme's a good man and good coach. He deals with things straight up. These were undoubtedly black Muslim athletes. I wonder if he knew their affiliation when he brought them in or did they make recent conversions ? Unfortunately, coaches at small, out-of-the-way schools like NMSU and UTEP often times bring in questionable, troublesome players because they can't attract the top rung. |
| Posted by: SOP35/Rat 2006-09-01 12:22 |
| #4 I was raised Catholic and had a Catholic coach in High School. Before each game it was routine that we did the lord's prayer as well the "our lady of victory." (This was at a public school.) The catholic players made the sign of the cross, the protestants did not. No one ever bitched about it, it was such a non-issue. |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2006-09-01 11:48 |
| #3 Then go to an Islamic country and try to play football there. Muslims Offend ME. |
| Posted by: newc 2006-09-01 10:51 |
| #2 caused them to pray separately from the other players Translation: Infidels didn't adopt our religion and bow down to Allan 5 times a day! We're offended! And the Cheerleaders - the hussies didn't wear Burkas as we demanded! |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2006-09-01 10:37 |
| #1 Would have thought the pigskin might have caused some problem. |
| Posted by: Thinemp Whimble2412 2006-09-01 08:42 |