CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – An assistant football coach who was praying with students at a football game Friday night was not asked to leave, but left on his own after being asked to stop disruptive behavior that witnesses described as “extreme,” “defiant” and “unreasonable,” according to a statement from the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

Initial reports were that Lawrence “Trey” Campbell, an SRO and assistant football coach at Northwest High School, was removed at halftime of the game by the Northwest principal. Campbell told Clarksville Now that he was given an ultimatum to put down his Bible, which he refused, and he was then escorted from the game.

On Tuesday, CMCSS released a statement through spokesman Anthony Johnson with initial information from its investigation into the incident.

“The concerns were not about private prayer or personal religious beliefs. CMCSS fully supports and respects the constitutional rights of all students, employees and visitors to practice their faith, including the right to pray privately,” Johnson said. “However, federal law and the U.S. Constitution place limits on the actions of public employees, including educators, coaches and SROs, when they are acting in their official capacities.

“The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District affirmed an individual employee’s right to personal prayer that does not interfere with job duties or give the appearance of official school endorsement. It did not authorize public employees to lead, encourage or pressure students into religious activity. Courts have consistently ruled that public employees may not use their positions to proselytize or promote religion in school settings.”

Campbell: ‘Walking in the Spirit today’

“Beginning the morning of Sept. 5, witnesses observed behavior from Campbell that was inconsistent with those standards and with his normal conduct. At the beginning of the school day, Campbell carried a Bible and told staff he was ‘walking in the Spirit today,’ quoting Scripture about rebuking those who come against you. A witness reported that when Campbell was encouraged that no one was opposing him, Campbell shared a story about a volleyball game the night before. Witnesses reported that Campbell explained that during the volleyball game, ‘the Spirit gave him a word from Scriptures to tell the girls,’ and after sharing it at halftime, the team came back to win.

“Throughout the day, witnesses reported and video footage corroborated that Campbell carried a Bible with him, spoke with students as they entered the school that morning, in the cafeteria, and other areas of the school while quoting Scripture from the Bible, and he excused a student for being tardy because the student had been with him in the cafeteria, which is an action outside the typical protocol,” Johnson said.

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“Later that evening at the football game, multiple witnesses observed and video footage corroborated Campbell spending significant time throughout the game on the sidelines with players and other students, quoting Scripture, holding a Bible up to spectators, and leading prayers. A witness stated that ‘every time I looked and saw him, he was talking to a player or players with the Bible or holding hands with head bowed.’ A cell phone video surfaced that appeared to show Campbell step in front of the student section, leading a ‘faith over fear’ chant.”

Campbell: ‘My job is to save these babies’

“Witnesses noted, and video footage corroborated, that Campbell became visibly emotional and confrontational when approached by school administration to address concerns of proselytizing in his official role. School administration did not ask him to stop praying privately or otherwise encouraging students. However, multiple witnesses stated that when asked to stop causing a disruption and to put his Bible away, Campbell stated loudly that ‘I can’t do it, won’t do it,’ and ‘my job is to save these babies.’ Ultimately, although the school administration tried to de-escalate the situation a second time and emphasized that they did not want Campbell to have to leave but that he was crossing a line and creating a disruption, Campbell chose to leave campus voluntarily.”

Johnson said school administration did not ask law enforcement to escort Campbell out of the stadium, but a colleague from MCSO chose to walk out with him, as Campbell was “described to be in a very emotional state.”

“It is important to emphasize that all witnesses described this behavior as uncharacteristic of Campbell. Witnesses described him as ‘extreme,’ ‘defiant’ and ‘unreasonable’ on Friday, but also consistently noted that they had never seen him act this way before,” Johnson said. “Campbell has otherwise been an outstanding SRO, coach, and valued member of the Northwest High School community. He has built positive relationships with students, families and staff, and has contributed to the safety and well-being of the school.”

Clarksville Now has reached out to Campbell for a response.

“The matter is continuing to be reviewed in collaboration between CMCSS and MCSO to ensure expectations are clear and to reaffirm the district’s commitment to upholding constitutional and legal requirements. CMCSS remains committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all individuals, supporting religious freedom, and ensuring that all students, employees, families, and visitors feel welcome and respected in our schools and on our campuses,” Johnson said.

During the investigation into the event, he has put on paid administrative leave by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the school resource officers. MCSO is continuing to investigate the situation.

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