Facebook post that scrapped century-old football rivalry questioned

A Facebook post that led to the cancellation of the 101st edition of a high school rivalry game in Alabama has been traced back to a faith-based camp website in Wisconsin.

According to the Tuscaloosa News, the long-standing football game between Pickens County and Gordo, which has been held since the 1920s, has been canceled. This decision came after a controversial Facebook post allegedly showed the Gordo cheerleading squad participating in ‘Dress-Up Day’ by wearing safari gear and holding toy monkeys and bananas. The post was later deleted, and an apology was issued by the principal on the school’s Facebook page.

Gordo Principal Jeff Campbell, expressing deep regret, stated that the post was never intended to be offensive. However, he acknowledged that it was received that way, took full responsibility, and apologized to the community and Pickens County High School.

The photo in question had been posted on multiple Gordo High School pages, but it is identical to an image from the website of Camp Luther, a camp in Wisconsin, which claims the photo features college summer staffers.

Gordo was scheduled to host Pickens County in the ‘Eight-mile War’ on Friday, Sept. 26, but since discovering the origin of the original photo, there are no plans to reschedule the game.

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