A controversial baptism service held by a high school football coach in Georgia has resulted in his firing. Coach Isaac Ferrell of Tattnall County High School was dismissed after a video surfaced on the team's official Facebook page showing players being baptized in a tub on school grounds. The incident, which took place on October 23, was brought to the attention of The Freedom from Religion Foundation by a community member who felt it constituted a violation of the constitutional principle of separation of state and church.

In the video, Pastor Gary Few can be seen directing players individually to sit in a large black tub of water before baptizing them. He says, "I baptize you now, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," as he submerges their heads under the water. Surrounding players cheer in support of their teammates' decision to be baptized. Some community members were outraged by the incident and called for an investigation into the coach's actions.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a self-proclaimed "state/church watchdog," sent a letter to superintendent Kristen Waters demanding an investigation into the matter and requesting that the school district put an end to any school-sponsored religious coercion. They argued that Ferrell was abusing his position and committing a constitutional violation. The foundation urged the district to instruct all coaches and staff about their obligations as public school employees.

In response to the controversy, Waters claimed that Ferrell's firing was not directly related to the baptism incident but was instead the result of an unrelated incident that occurred after a football game on November 3. She stated that the district decided to seek a head football coach who aligned with the best interests of the students based on the outcome of an investigation into that incident. However, an investigation into the baptism service is still ongoing.

Despite the controversy, some parents on the team voiced their support for Coach Ferrell and commended him for baptizing their sons. One parent, Latifa Johnson, expressed pride in her son's decision to be baptized, stating that he had made the choice on his own. Johnson described the atmosphere during the ceremony as positive and expressed gratitude to God for the experience.

Support for the questionable baptism service was also evident on social media, with comments praising the coach for changing lives and congratulating the players on making what was seen as the best decision of their lives. However, the Freedom from Religion Foundation maintained that public school coaches should not be allowed to intertwine their religious beliefs or activities with their team, emphasizing that student athletes have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination during school activities.

The firing of Coach Ferrell has generated mixed reactions within the community. Some community members were upset by the ceremony and supported the district's decision to dismiss him, while others defended Ferrell's actions and believed he was simply expressing his own religious beliefs. The district's superintendent did not provide further details about the incident that led to Ferrell's firing but emphasized the importance of the safety and security of the students in the district. The investigation into the baptism service is ongoing.