Facebook Photo of Praying Footballers Sparks Controversy

Prayer on the football field in North Dakota. (Courtesy/Facebook/Mark Anderson)

A Facebook photo of North Dakota high school football players praying on field is creating a controversy.

The post by a local Bismarck resident says the North Dakota State Activities Association said there can be "no prayers before the game." The post has been shared more than 2,000 times.

The association says it has not issued a new rule banning prayer at sports games.

Executive Director Matt Fetsch said opening prayers haven't been held since the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional 15 years ago.

He also said prayers can't be broadcast over loudspeakers at postseason games because those games are sponsored by the association and not the home team.

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