Viral Video Shows Soccer Team Cheering on Racial Slur and the Fallout Is Bigger Than They Expected

Davidson County Schools officials in North Carolina have ended the season for a high school soccer team after a viral video shows East Davidson High School students cheering in response to a racial slur aboard a school activity bus.

The recording, which spread across social media over the weekend, shows someone urging students to “make noise if you hate n–gers,” prompting loud cheers from a large group aboard the bus.

The incident reportedly occurred after the school’s boys’ soccer match against Thomasville High School.

The school confirmed on Wednesday that the decision to cancel the season came after “thorough investigation and careful consideration.”

“The behavior depicted in the social media post is unacceptable and does not reflect the standards we uphold at East Davidson High School,” the school said in a statement. “We recognize the impact this decision has on our student-athletes and appreciate our school community’s understanding as we address this matter.”

The school said the soccer season’s cancellation “reflects the seriousness of the situation and our commitment to upholding the standards of conduct and accountability expected of all students.”

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The video prompted criticism from community members and drew a response from the Davidson County NAACP, whose president said the incident affected not only those shown in the recording but also students and families throughout the community.

“Behavior that undermines the safety, dignity, or well-being of others is unacceptable,” he said. “The situation is being taken seriously, and appropriate consequences will be issued in accordance with district policies.”

Superintendent Gregg Slate emphasized that students remain responsible for their conduct beyond the classroom, including while participating in school-sponsored athletic programs and other extracurricular activities.

“We expect all students to demonstrate integrity in their words and actions in every setting, including the classroom, athletics, and their interactions with others,” he said. “We will continue to hold students accountable for their actions and reinforce the importance of making responsible choices that contribute to a positive and inclusive school environment.”

The Davidson County NAACP Branch said Tuesday, as WXII reported, that it had communicated its concerns directly to school officials. The organization’s president, Rev. Alan Suber, said the video’s depiction of the conduct saddened him and raised concerns about its potential impact on the school community.

In a statement, the branch expressed appreciation for its working relationship with the district and Slate, saying that the partnership allowed the organization to raise concerns openly.

The organization also thanked school administrators for their response and encouraged community members seeking information about how the district handles such incidents to review School Board Policy 4310. The organization acknowledged its ongoing communication with school leadership and urged the community to remain engaged in local civic matters.

“We are grateful for the partnership that we have established with Davidson County Schools and Superintendent Dr. Gregg Slate to voice our concerns openly,” the statement continued. “We also thank the administration for their swift action to resolve the matter properly.”

The NAACP also encouraged residents to participate in the election cycle, saying the controversy should not distract from the importance of voting and making their voices heard.

Although the video captured a group responding to the racist prompt, the district has not released a count of the students who participated. It also has not publicly detailed whether school personnel were present when the exchange occurred or when administrators first learned about the recording.

Many have taken to the comments beneath the video to weigh in on the situation. 

One user wrote, “No matter the age, no matter the time, no matter place, and no matter the race, somebody somewhere got Black people on their mind.”

“I love that this was recorded, suspended the whole team,” another added, calling for punishment.

East Davidson’s soccer team finished with a 17-4 record, including a forfeit on Monday, Oct. 26, after the video surfaced.

Viral Video Shows Soccer Team Cheering on Racial Slur and the Fallout Is Bigger Than They Expected