Posted at 12:24 p.m., Saturday, November 17, 2007
Preps: Players told to shave mohawk hairdos
Associated Press
EASTON, Pa. — About 25 high school football players who got mohawks before their traditional Thanksgiving game have been told to shave their heads or risk suspension.The Easton Area High School players had their hair shorn as a display of unity before the game against longtime rival Phillipsburg, N.J.
"We saw it as a symbol for power and strength, and that's how we wanted to be represented," senior Giovanni Simmons told The Express-Times. "But we were told they had to go."
The district's dress code, approved last year, specifically prohibits "mohawk-type haircuts" or "spike haircuts in which the hair is sectioned and brought to a point."
Principle William Rider, a football coach for 28 years, said he understood the attempted symbolism but had to enforce the district policy.
"Without question I understand teamwork, camaraderie, doing things for the team," Rider said. "But it's not my policy. It's a school policy and I am following the rules.
