High School Football Team Wanted to Honor Fallen Military Heroes — but School Officials Said Not So Fast

A Colorado high school football team's request to honor fallen U.S. military heroes has been denied.

The Poudre School District told the Fossil Ridge High School football team that it cannot wear the names of fallen soldiers across the backs of their uniforms because it doesn't favor certain causes over others, the Coloradoan reported.

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"We regret that the intentions of the district and school were misconstrued and mischaracterized as unpatriotic. PSD shares the community’s value of honoring those who dedicate their lives in service to our country and looks forward to recognizing the contributions of veterans at our schools this year," the school district said in a statement.

The controversy came just after the team went through three months of military education. Players had asked to wear camouflage uniforms, and the coach had them take military education courses and undergo military training. Each player was also required to conduct family and background research on a deceased member of the armed forces.

But the specific request to have soldiers' names stitched across the backs of the players' uniforms came from a parent, according to the Coloradoan.

"PSD cannot comply with this request without giving other causes the same opportunity," the statement from the school read. "Unlike the National Football League, which can use uniforms to support specific causes, public high schools do not typically use school property, such as team jerseys, in this manner."

"As a publicly funded agency, PSD respects the diverse opinions of our community. Thus, the district does not support any one cause over another," the statement added.

School officials explained the policy is supposed to protect students from being used for promotional purposes, while adding that the district values the U.S. military's commitment and sacrifice, and are looking for other ways to honor the country's war heroes.

A representative for Fossil Ridge High School did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TheBlaze.

(H/T: Coloradoan)

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