Prince George votes to prohibit bible verses being added to jerseys

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A set of activity rules for Prince George County's Parks and Recreation Department was recently approved that prohibits bible verses from being featured on jerseys after a controversy in September.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the county's board of supervisors voted 3-1 in favor of a set of rules featuring detailed expectations for the uniforms players must wear while playing recreational activities and games.

This vote comes after Prince George officials issued a press release on Sept. 16 responding to concerns about the Bible verse reference "John 14:6" being added to county-issued jerseys for a local recreational soccer team.

The verse was added by youth soccer coach and parent Andrew Collins, and references the verse "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life -- No one comes to the Father except through me," within the New International Version of the Bible.

The jerseys were altered and redistributed in time for the first game of the season on Sept. 6, but the county was not informed of the alterations and not all parents had been informed, officials said.

A policy review was launched by the county as a result, and officials said that during the review period "no player will be excluded or removed from participation based solely on uniform alterations," as long as the alterations are approved by the player's parent or guardian.

8News talked with Collins back in September, who said that his faith is deeply connected to how he coaches the game.

Another parent, Zach Devlin, also spoke to 8News, saying that he was caught off guard when he saw the jerseys and "didn't feel that that has any place on the soccer field."

During Tuesday's board meeting, the activities rules were approved with the following section addressing uniforms:

"Only uniforms purchased or issued through the Department may be worn during recreational activities and games. ... County issued uniforms may not be torn, cut, or modified.

No apparel may be worn during games or practices that appears to be part of a uniform and that bears messaging that a reasonable observer would construe to be approved by or endorsed by Prince George County or its constituent departments or agencies without the prior approval of the Parks and Recreation Department of Prince George County

Prince George Parks and Recreation is mindful that our community is diverse and includes people with a wide variety of views. It is important to our mission that everyone feels welcome to participate in our programming. No one is required to ascribe to a particular set of ideological, political, or religious views or opinions to participate fully.

We are mindful, too, that messages that appear on Parks and Recreation teams' uniforms will often appear to reflect the views of the Department or the County. This policy limiting modifications to teams' uniforms is intended to avoid the erroneous impression that private messaging on uniforms and clothing is endorsed by local governments. No part of this policy is intended to limit any person's right to speech outside the context of modifying Department supplied team uniforms."

According to Collins, another vote will take place on Oct. 28 to change the language in the activities rules from jerseys to uniforms, as can be seen in the full set of rules attached below.