South Carolina School’s Post-Game Ritual Prompts Reputational Damage Claim

The parents of three Charleston, S.C. football players have filed a lawsuit claiming characterizations of the team’s controversial post-game watermelon ritual damaged their sons’ reputations.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that the parents are suing the Charleston County School District, consultant Kevin Clayton and his firm Axxis Consulting Co., and Jones Street Publishers LLC, the parent company of the Charleston City Paper. All declined to comment.

Earlier this month, a Charleston County School District report said none of the players thought chanting and smashing and eating watermelons after a football victory had racial connotations. The parents said officials found no evidence of any racial reason for the ritual but later mischaracterized it.

Coach Bud Walpole resigned but was rehired two days later. School Superintendent Nancy McGinley also resigned.