Duane Greaton, 49, is accused of telling his players to taunt a boy on the opposing team at a match last Friday
A high school football coach has been accused of telling players to taunt a boy on the opposing team during a game about his lesbian mothers.
Duane Greaton, 49, left his position at Gray-New Gloucester High School in Gray, Maine, as a result of the allegations this week.
He allegedly instructed the boys on his team to taunt a teenager from Yarmouth High School, their opponents, during their game last Friday.
Players said that before the game began, Greaton told them to tell him: ‘Who’s your daddy?’ whenever he was tackled.
The players told their parents about his instruction and they then notified the targeted boy’s mothers, Stephanie and Lynn Eckersley-Ray, to inform them.
Neither Greaton nor Gray-New Gloucester High School has commented on the allegations.
Stephanie Eckersley-Ray told local newspaper The Press Herald she was grateful for the parents on the other team for telling them about what Greaton allegedly said.
None of the boys followed the instruction, they said.
‘We found out because some Gray parents and players stepped forward and we are extremely thankful to them.
‘They did what they could about it and we are appreciative and thankful for that,’ she said.
In a letter to the school district which encompasses both schools, they described Greaton’s alleged behavior as ‘discriminatory and hate-laden’.
‘We are appalled by your coach’s behavior as it is not only the explicit targeting of a player, but it is also incredibly discriminatory and hate-laden in nature.
‘It is our understanding that targeting is not acceptable per (Maine Principals’ Association, which governs Maine high school athletics) … rules and we certainly know that anti-discrimination, anti-bias, and hate-crime laws protect individuals in Maine,’ they said.
Players from Gray-New Gloucester (wearing red jerseys) were allegedly told to repeat the slur whenever the boy, who played for Yarmouth (in white and blue) was tackled
Greaton was the varsity coach at Gray-New Gloucester High School (above) but he has left his role since the allegations were made public
The targeted boy is a student at Yarmouth High School (above), another in the district
The coach has not commented on the allegations since the game last Friday
Staff at their son’s school have been supportive, they said, but they have not heard from the school where Greaton worked.
Stephanie said she would like to speak to its teachers to ‘have a conversation so this can be amicably resolved in a supportive and positive educational way.’
School district spokesman Craig King would not disclose whether Greaton was fired or if he had resigned when he confirmed his departure from the school to DailyMail.com on Friday.
‘The school department is aware of the claims in the parent’s email and has investigated and addressed them.
‘The situation has been resolved. MSAD 15 takes concerns about the safety and security of students very seriously, and does not tolerate threatening or discriminatory behavior.
‘I cannot discuss personnel matters. I can, however, tell you that Mr. Greaton no longer works for the school district,’ he said.
Greaton did not respond to requests.