High School Player Booted for Praising God Reinstated
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An Arizona high school football player ejected from a game after giving thanks to God will be allowed to play in his next game.
Pedro Banda, a 17-year-old running back for the Dysart Demons, was put on a one-game suspension after scoring a touchdown, touching his face mask and pointing his finger to the sky.
"They thought I was saying I was number one and I was taunting the other team," he said.
But Banda said he was giving glory to God.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association overturned the penalty against Banda after reviewing game footage.
They said pointing his finger to sky and looking upward did not constitute "excessive celebration."
The official ejected Banda because he'd already been penalized once for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The decision to overturn the suspension means that Banda will be able to play in the school's first playoff games in 25 years.
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