Todd Starnes Outrage #1,877,933: Penalized for Prayer

Ever-vigilant Fox culture warrior Todd Starnes has found another example of the godlessness of modern society: just before beginning a wrestling match, North Carolina high school student Nicholas Fant dropped to his knees in prayer, and the referee gave him a warning for delaying the match.

NCHSAA Commissioner David Whitfield told Fox News the referee made the right call - nothing to do with religion. He noted the referee had called them to the center of the mat, the other wrestler was already waiting there, and "at that point it’s time to wrestle.”

But not all wrestling officials agreed with the call – including David Culbreth of the Southeastern Wrestling Officials Association, a believer. “On my mat – God gets two seconds.. if it turned into a 60-second prayer - he'd probably get a verbal warning - or I might try to say Amen for him."

They're of two minds about this over on the Fox Nation. Some are equally outraged:

While others agree with the referee:

(Incidentally, Fant lost the match - so was God ticked off at the referee or just plain indifferent?)

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Showing 4 reactions

commented 2013-02-17 02:00:09 -0500 · Flag

The kid was obviously Tebowing and trying to draw attention to himself. Sucks for him that only Faux gave a shit. And I agree with Sandman, am waiting for the day some athlete gets on his knees, turns to Mecca, and unleashes a couple of “Allah Akbar”’s. Lets hear what Starnes would say about that.

commented 2013-02-16 20:46:14 -0500 · Flag

Robert Urban commented

You know if there was only SOME DEVICE that was readily available, and that Fox Nation followers had access to, that made it possible to instantly look shit up before posting stuff on the Internet. Boy I bet you could make millions off of advanced technology like that. Maybe someone should come up with it and I am willing to let you use the name I was thinking would be appropriate to call it for FREE. The “Interweb

LOL

commented 2013-02-16 17:58:38 -0500 · Flag

Would they feel the same way and defend a “Muslim” wrestler who decided it was “prayer time” and dropped to his knees and faced Mecca?

commented 2013-02-16 14:40:16 -0500 · Flag

I coached wrestling for many years. That is definitely the right call. Wrestlers know for HOURS who and when they’re going to wrestle, even in tournaments. He had plenty of time for his genuflect and prayer while he was warming up beside the mat. I’ve heard that god accepts prayer at any time, and from any place. Prayers from beside the mat, before being called to the starter’s circle would have worked just as well.