After an extensive investigation into racism allegations that surfaced against Jefferson (GA) High School following last week's football game against Maynard Jackson High School, Jefferson City Schools said Friday, Sept. 18, it found no evidence to substantiate the claims.
The district shared its findings with USA TODAY Sports in a letter sent to families, staff and community members on Sept. 18. According to the district, the investigation included interviews, more than 50 written statements from students, staff, volunteers and security officers, and an extensive review of video footage from 54 cameras inside Memorial Stadium.
Following a high school football game between the two schools last Friday, Sept. 11, Atlanta Public Schools released
a statement with concerns over racist language towards the Maynard Jackson marching band.
Additional allegations began to surface on social media, including including claims that Confederate flags were displayed during the game, concession workers spit on Maynard Jackson students' food, Maynard Jackson football players were spit on and racial slurs were directed towards Maynard Jackson band members.
Jefferson City Schools said it found no evidence supporting any of the allegations raised during the investigation.
The district did, however, address a reported altercation involving Maynard Jackson band members as they exited the stadium. According to the statement, the incident involved an adult who was not affiliated with Jefferson City Schools.
"It has been alleged that an altercation occurred between MJHS band members and an adult as the band exited the stadium. The adult has been identified as an individual not affiliated with Jefferson City Schools, and the incident is being addressed by MJHS administration."
Allegations surfaced that Maynard Jackson band members were forced to park across the street, but JHS confirmed that all buses from opposing teams are allowed to unload and load in front of the visitors’ entrance.
There were also concerns over MJHS visitors not being allowed to park in the lots located at Memorial Stadium. JHS confirmed the spaces in the parking lot are reserved for JHS Booster Club members and overflow spaces and a bus shuttle are available at a nearby church.
JHS confirmed that both of those procedures are "not new and does not vary from team to team."
The statement extended appreciation to the MJHS administration as well as the Georgia High School Athletic Association for working together to establish the facts surrounding these allegations and also expressed disheartenment around the situation.
"As a school district, we are deeply disheartened that our students, staff, families, volunteers, and community members have been subjected to vile and vicious accusations, listed here or otherwise, that are utterly unfounded. None of these claims have been substantiated and do not reflect who we are as a school district and community."
Jefferson High School will get back on the football field tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET against Oconee County.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No evidence found to support alleged racist behavior at Georgia high school football game
