Photo: EyeEm
DUXBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An external investigation into the Duxbury High School football program and their use of Anti-Semitic language on the field shows the program used the terms in their practices since 2010.
The independent investigation was ordered by Duxbury Public Schools after a lineman yelled out "Auschwitz "during a game earlier this year.
The term was overheard during a game against Plymouth North High School in March. The incident in question led to the firing of head football coach Dave Maimaron.
He was also suspended from his job as a special education teacher at Duxbury High School.
The investigator, Attorney Edward R. Mitnick, confirmed the player used "Auschwitz" to refer to a blocking play. In the four-page report released by Duxbury Public Schools, it details other Jewish-related words, such as "Dreidel" and "Rabbi", that were used during the 2010-2012 football seasons.
The investigation goes on to state, that coaching staff were aware of the language at practice but there was no sufficient evidence the terms were used in games prior to this season.
The term "Rabbit" was originally used to call the play but that eventually turned into "Rabbi", according to the investigation. This then led to other Jewish-related terms being used for the play call.
In addition, the investigation found that a religious prayer was done prior to football games and before the annual Thanksgiving Day game, a "Team Mass" was held at a Catholic Church. Both of these actions are in violation of school district policy.
As a result of the incident, members of the football team attended mandatory diversity and inclusion workshops at the high school and had a conversation with Massachusetts Senator Barry Finegold.
The team also participated in a mandatory Holocaust Presentation. Interviews with 52 witnesses were conducted and they included current and former players, coaches, parents, and school staff.
The district said they will review their athletic programs and an Athletic Advisory Committee has been formed.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jim Mackay (@JimMackayOnAir) Reports:
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(Photo: Getty Images)