How one Texas high school football homecoming tradition turned ‘Disgusting!’

One tradition at Van High School in East Texas is under fire.

On Thursday, the school performed its annual homecoming bonfire.

During the proceedings, several members of the football team lit a large fire below an effigy sporting the jersey of a player from a rival school.

That rival school is Brownsboro High School and the player who wears that jersey number for its football team is black.

The news was first reported by EastTexasMatters.com, which serves as the website for KEEL (a radio station in the area).

According to the report, a video of the scene was posted on the school’s Facebook page. However, several upset individuals voiced their dissatisfaction.

The video was then taken down.

In the report, one person commented on the school’s Facebook page that the video was “Speach (sp) less!!! Absolutely disgusting!!!”

Van Independent School District Superintendent Don Dunn released this statement to KEEL, which read, in part:

“Our community and alumni have been very excited to see this beloved tradition return. After videos of the bonfire posted by the district on social media following the bonfire last night, comments arose in the thread accusing the district of racism. Historically, the number on the player’s jersey at the top of the bonfire has always been the same number as the opposing team’s best player. This is by no means a racial issue and never has been.”

Van is located about 70 miles east of Dallas.