Football player embarrasses Indiana school by griping about photo with 'ni**er' Colts cheerleader

An Indiana high school football player embarrassed himself and his school when he posted a racist slur online after getting his photo taken next to a black Indianapolis Colts cheerleader.

ABC Channel 6 News reported that the unnamed teen took part in a community activity between Howard County's Western School Corporation and the Colts. For a group photo, the player was placed next to a cheerleader who was black.

"Of course Mason put me next to the ni**er," he wrote across the photo when he posted it to Instagram.

The Colts released a statement condemning the teen's actions:

The Colts organization is appalled and saddened that one of our cheerleaders was subjected to a racial slur after what had been a tremendous community involvement function earlier this week. We acknowledge the young man’s apology and take him at his word that he has learned that thoughtless and hurtful acts can have severe consequences. The Colts do not tolerate any member of our organization being subjected to any form of bigotry and will take every reasonable precaution to protect our people from such misconduct when they are representing the organization.

The Western School Corporation in Howard County sent a letter to parents that said:

As you may all be aware by now, a very racist post was made on social media last night by one of our high school students. This type of behavior is extremely offensive, unacceptable and disgraceful, and will not be tolerated at Western School Corporation. I apologize profusely on behalf of the school corporation and can promise that this matter was taken very seriously and addressed as such.

While the actions of this student may be addressed, we now have to focus on the damage that was done by this student’s actions or similar actions of others. It is long past time for these types of behaviors and attitudes to stop, to stop in our schools, our communities and our country. We see every day on the news the racism and hate crimes that are affecting and taking lives. The solution to this continued problem starts with each of us.

Please talk with your children about this very serious issue and about showing respect for others.

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