DUXBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — After learning the Duxbury High School football team used anti-Semitic play-calls, including the word "Auschwitz," Massachusetts Senator Barry Finegold met with members of the team over the weekend.
On Saturday, Finegold met with players after he wrote an open letter to the team. In the letter, Finegold explained how he played football for Andover High School and went on to play at Franklin & Marshall College.
Finegold said, "I also am proudly Jewish," and on Saturday, he posted on Twitter to reflect on their meeting.
He said he spoke to the players about what being Jewish means to him and about the history of anti-Semitism.
"It is on all of us to fight for a better world. We all can be messengers," said Finegold.
The incident in question, stems from a game Duxbury played against Plymouth North High School on March 12. The Duxbury players were overheard using anti-Semitic terms to call out their plays, which included using Auschwitz.
READ MORE: Barnstable Public Schools Remain Remote Following Covid Surge
Around one million Jewish people died at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.
Currently, the team and program are being investigated by the school administration. Last week, the school fired head coach Dave Maimaron in response to the incident. Maimaron is on paid administrative leave from his special education job at the high school.
Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka said she wants this incident to be more than just a teachable moment. "We need sustained, increased education among administrators, educators, coaches, officials, referees and students," said Spilka.
A bill that would require school districts to include the history of genocide in their middle and high school curricula failed to make it to the governor's desk, last year.
Now, Spilka says the senate is likely to pass it this year, and House Speaker Ronald Mariano says he looks forward to discussing it.
On Monday night, the Duxbury Board of Selectmen will hold a public discussion on the incident. On the agenda, is a discussion of a letter sent to the board by Prejudice Free Duxbury.
The meeting will be remote and starts at 7 p.m.
To watch the meeting live, click here. The team's game last week against Hingham was canceled.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App
(Photo: Getty Images)