PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) is investigating allegations of racial slurs and taunts directed toward athletes at a predominantly Black high school in Southeast Portland.
David Douglas High School assistant football coach Marcell Frazier told KGW that players, staff and fans have dealt with racist remarks multiple times this season.
Frazier said the first incident took place after the first game of the season at Forest Grove High School. He said someone pulled up in a pickup truck and made primate sounds. Then the following week, a junior varsity player reported being called a racial slur during a game at Rex Putnam High School, Frazier said. The alleged racial slurs continued later in the season when David Douglas played at Adrienne C. Nelson High School in Happy Valley.
"We get to Nelson and all hell breaks loose," Frazier said. "We're playing in the game, multiple kids, two kids specifically come off the field crying. What's going on? 'Coach, they're saying King Kong.'"
Frazier added that the students said they were also called a racial slur. The incidents were brought to the attention of referees and coaches, but no players were removed.
Greg Harris, the principal of Adrienne C. Nelson High School, addressed the reported incident in a letter sent to staff and students on Sunday.
"The behaviors that have been reported are not only unacceptable, but also stand in stark contract to the values we hold as a school and district," Harris said.
OSAA is working with school administrators to learn more and hold people accountable.
"We've been in contact with administrators from all involved schools and school districts since then as they work together to investigate what took place and hold those responsible accountable for their actions," said OSAA executive director Peter Weber.