MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has defended the right of Auburn University baseball players to participate in prayer, responding to a demand letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) that urged the university to prohibit certain religious activities involving the team.
In a letter sent to the organization, Marshall argued that Auburn University should not restrict players or staff from engaging in voluntary religious expression, citing First Amendment protections.
“Freedom From Religion’s latest crusade is a swing and a miss. Coaches and athletes don’t lose their religious rights just because they attend a public school,” Marshall said in a statement. “The Supreme Court has been clear that the days of censoring employees and students to remove religion from public view are over. Auburn—and all Alabama schools—should know that the Attorney General’s Office will stand with them in protecting the religious liberties of their employees and students. Do not surrender.”
The dispute stems from a letter sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which reportedly threatened legal action if Auburn did not stop the baseball team’s chaplain from leading prayers with players or prevent players from displaying Christian symbols or messages during practice.
According to published reports, Mason Maners serves as the team’s chaplain, offering Bible studies and praying with players. Maners reportedly suffered a broken neck while playing high school football before making a recovery and later playing baseball at Auburn.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation alleged that players were being pressured to participate in team prayers and argued that those who chose not to participate could be marginalized.
Marshall disputed those claims in his response, writing that the allegations lacked evidence and asserting that voluntary religious expression is constitutionally protected.
“Alabama is committed to preserving the liberties of all its citizens,” Marshall wrote. “Because of its fidelity to the Constitution, the State will not let ‘concerns about phantom constitutional violations justify actual violations of an individual’s First Amendment rights.’ For you to say that members of the baseball team should ‘pray privately … on their own time’ is offensive. For the government to say so would be both unconstitutional and un-American.”
Marshall concluded by requesting that the Freedom From Religion Foundation withdraw its demand letter.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has not publicly responded to Marshall’s request.
