A viral video has people up in arms after a Black high school football player in Illinois is seen sitting at a locker filled with banana peels.
The racially charged video was reportedly filmed last Thursday. “Get in the chair or I’ll break your knees,” a teammate can be heard saying in the background. Associated Press reports that local authorities have already begun investigating the matter by interviewing school staff members, coaches, and student-athletes.
“The video depicted a young man who was confirmed to be a student and football player at Moline High School,” said Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal in a press release on Monday. “Upon review of all the facts gathered by the Moline Police Department, numerous witness interviews and diligent investigation by the Moline Police Department and cooperation by students and staff, this Office has referred the matter for appropriate action in our Juvenile Division.”
Moline Police Chief Darren Gault noted that the players involved were reportedly all friends and were of similar and different races. “Regardless of these facts, we all agree that this is a disgusting way to treat a fellow teammate, a fellow human, and most certainly a friend,” said Chief Gault.
