Oregon school officials remain silent after football player knocks out opponent carrying American flag

If you’re looking for answers about why a Portland, Oregon, high school football player lit up an opponent who was carrying an American flag on the field last Friday night, you’re out of luck.

Attempts by OutKick to get answers from Jefferson High School, where the player attends, went unanswered Monday. An attempt to reach Jefferson athletic director Donnie Siel Monday afternoon by phone went unanswered, as did an attempt to reach Jefferson principal Drake Shelton. A message left at his office was not returned.

Did you witness this incident? Tell us about it: joe.kinsey@outkick.com

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), the governing body for public school sports, told OutKick in a statement that it “was aware of the pregame incident” and noted that the player was ejected and did not play in the game. “Rivalry game or not, there is no place for this behavior before, during or after an interscholastic competition,” the OSAA added.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REFEREE SUSPENDED FOR ATTACKING PLAYER AND ACTING LIKE A JESTER

American football on green grass against American flag background. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The remaining question many are asking is: Was a Grant High School football player targeted because he carried an American flag onto the field before a game against the Jefferson Democrats?

FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME EMERGES IN VIOLENT BAAR INVOLVING PLAYERS AND COACHES AFTER FINAL WHISTLE

Jefferson High School did not respond to OutKick’s questions about the situation.

With the school not speaking out and the football team’s Instagram page now deleted, that’s not an easy question to answer. All we’re left with are screenshots of Jefferson’s football account that were recorded by Taren Feist, an Oregon-based campaign manager, before also being deleted.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW – UNFILTERED, WITHOUT EXCELLENCE AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

“The video was not intended to disrespect the American flag,” Jefferson’s now-deleted Instagram page said. “However, Grant’s players and members of their coaching staff showed a lack of respect toward Jefferson before the game, and if you were there to witness what happened, you would understand the full context.

“There was an option to tour the field, but they chose not to do so. It was our last game at Jefferson Field, our senior night and homecoming. It was a special and emotional night for our school, our seniors, our players and our community. What happened before the game was not appropriate, especially given the importance of the occasion. If you have a problem with the video or with me personally for posting it, you can speak to me directly about it.

OPINION: SPORT IS ONE OF AMERICA’S GREATEST TRADITIONS AND A POWERFUL FORCE THAT UNITES US

“I am prepared to take responsibility for my own actions and the content I choose to post. However, you will not use this situation as an excuse to be racist towards my students, my players, our staff or anyone representing Jefferson. They do not deserve to be targeted or disrespected because of a rivalry or a video posted online.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUTKICK’S DAILY NEWSLETTER

“At Jefferson, we are proud of who we are. We are black, Hispanic, white and people of different backgrounds coming together as one school and one community. Our diversity is something to be proud of, not something to attack.”

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

As for the game itself, Grant won 35-14. Jefferson’s record fell to 1-6; The grant is 6-1.