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COLUMBUS, Texas — A teenage athlete's gesture toward heaven got his school's track team disqualified and ignited a debate over expressions of religious freedom in Texas.
The Star Telegram reports Derrick Hayes, a junior at Columbus High School in Columbus, Texas, was anchoring the 400-meter relay team and was several yards ahead of his competitors when he lifted a finger toward the sky in what was taken as a religious gesture.
A judge saw it and disqualified the school's 4 x 100 team from the Texas state finals.
The incident occurred in Columbus, where the track and field team was hosting a meet.
The rule states no celebratory gestures, including raising your arms.
–Supt. Robert O'Connor
The district's superintendent, Robert O'Connor, said he's not sure why Hayes pointed to heaven, but the action violated a University Interscholastic League (UIL) regulation barring excessive celebration.
He told Houston's KRIV, "The rule states no celebratory gestures, including raising your arms."
He added that athletes are allowed to make such gestures outside of the competition area.
The athlete's father, K.C. Hayes, supported his son and protested the disqualification.
I don't see what the big deal is when people are thanking God.
–Laporchia Miller, resident
"He just said, ‘Dad, I was pointing at the heavens,' " K.C. Hayes was quoted as saying. "As a team, they reached their goal, and in an instant it was just gone over something we think is a non-issue."
TV station [KHOU reported](<http://www.khou.com/sports/Act-of-fath-costs-track-team-its-win-205661221.html >) K.C. Hayes and Columbus fans complained to the state that the team was punished for expressing faith.
The state does not appear willing to compromise or reconsider the issue.
