Plano (WBAP/KLIF) – Plano ISD has canceled its annual football game against El Paso Eastwood High School. The game was scheduled for September 6th.
The decision comes on the heels the Aug 3 mass shooting in El Paso; the suspect is a former Plano High School student.
Plano ISD’s release said Thursday.
“After consulting with local law enforcement agencies, Plano ISD administrators felt obligated to prioritize the safety of the participating players, students, families and communities, and have concluded that the timing of the game falls too soon after the tragedy in El Paso.
“We grieve with our neighbors in El Paso and are heartbroken that what is happening in society today is affecting our kids and our communities,” said Plano ISD Superintendent Sara Bonser. “Our students and coaches were eager for this opportunity to come together with Eastwood High to promote a message of compassion and healing, but what should be a celebratory event would be encumbered by safety concerns for the participants and fans of both teams. Our top priority must be the safety of all.”
The decision has brought about a flurry of criticism. An El Paso-area school board member is critical of the decision to cancel a game.
Plano police and police in Murphey where the district’s stadium is located says there have been no credible threats.
Eastwood is part of the Ysleta (ee-SLEH’-tah) Independent School District. District school board member Kathryn Lucero tells the El Paso Times the Ysleta district offered to host the game in El Paso or to play Plano Senior at a neutral site, but the Plano district rejected both proposals.
Lucero said the El Paso community and its children are already suffering from the pain and trauma of the massacre and a football game would add some normalcy to an otherwise difficult time.
And the characteristically outspoken Dallas sportscaster Dale Hansen from our media partner WFAA-TV said in a commentary last night, “When we cancel games because we’re afraid, the bad guys win.” Hansen added that the game would have been a prime opportunity to bring the two cities together in honor of the victims.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from the WFAA-TV)
