Group threatens lawsuit over pre-game prayers

Our take: Last Friday, the football game at Desoto Central High in Southaven, Miss., began without the traditional pre-game prayer. Despite grassroots efforts to rally support for the co-existence of faith and high school football, this community wasn't able to fight threats the Freedom From Religion Foundation is sending out to schools across the South.

Weekends in the Deep South are anchored by two long-cherished traditions — church on Sunday and football on Friday. And its no surprise that in many Southern cities and towns football and faith go hand-in-hand.

That is certainly the case in Southaven, Miss. where football season generates a revival-like fervor — where traditions are treasured.

For decades, before the first pigskin was passed, before the glee club sang of the rockets red glare, the crowd would be summoned to their feet. Hats were removed. Heads were bowed. And for just a moment — a hush fell over the stadium as a student delivered an invocation.

But over the past few years the intersection of the Gospel and gridiron has erupted into a storm of controversy.

Read more about pre-game prayers and the Freedom From Religion Foundation on Fox News.