Georgia head coach Mark Richt responded publicly for the first time to an allegation from the Freedom From Religion Foundation that stated he and his brother-in-law, team chaplain Kevin “Chappy” Hynes, use their platforms to impose their Christian beliefs on players.

“We’re at a secular university, I understand that,” Richt said. “I don’t try to make anyone believe a certain way at all. Anything that has to do with the spirit is strictly voluntary and never has any bearing on someone’s availability to play at Georgia. It’s always been that way.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation accused Richt of using his stature as the head coach of a major college football program to push Christianity on the players that comprise his team. The group also accused Richt of raising funds for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall in 2014.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued related reports on multiple college programs, including Florida State, Clemson and LSU. Based on its belief that Georgia is in violation of church-state separation, the Freedom From Religion Foundation asked University of Georgia President Jere Morehead to remove Hynes as team chaplain.

Richt said that while he encourages his players to grow spiritually, he’s never made any religious-related activity mandatory for his team.

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SOURCE: Macon.com
Jason Butt