BROOKLYN, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio high school football coach says he was forced to resign by his school district and intended no harm to opposing players after he and his team repeatedly used “Nazi” as a game call in a Sept. 22 match.
In an interview with The Associated Press Thursday, former Brooklyn High School coach Tim McFarland said he never meant any offense by using the term and that it “didn't even occur” to him that it could be taken as antisemitic.
But the team's use of “Nazi” has been largely criticized as such, especially given that the plays were called during a game against Beachwood High School — a school based in a largely Jewish Cleveland suburb.
Citing an Ohio high school coaching book from the 1990s, Pattakos said “Nazi” is often used in football to warn teammates of what is known as a “blitz."
McFarland also said that he offered to personally apologize to any of the Beachwood players the call may have offended.
Persons:
Tim McFarland, ”, Nazi ”, Peter Pattakos, Pattakos, Robert Hardis, “, ” McFarland, Ted Caleris, McFarland
Organizations:
Associated Press, Brooklyn High School, Beachwood High, Beachwood, of Education, Ohio High School Athletic Association, Brooklyn Schools
Locations:
BROOKLYN , Ohio, An Ohio, Nazi, Jewish Cleveland, Ohio