Kristian Ferrell
In 2019, comedian Kathy Griffin accused the Covington Catholic basketball team of throwing up the Nazi sign. This came after a video of students from the all-boys school in a confrontation with an elderly Native American man at the March for Life went viral. Griffin tweeted a photo of the basketball players making the OK sign with their hands, which is often used by the alt-right and white supremacists. However, the hand signal in basketball is commonly used to celebrate a 3-point shot. The tweet was deleted shortly after it was posted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incident | Covington Catholic High School students were seen wearing blackface and/or black body paint in the stands during a basketball game |
| Date | 27 November 2012 |
| Opponent | Clark County |
| Intention | School tradition related to "black out" games, where fans wear black to support the team |
| Interpretation | At least one person connected it to racist minstrel shows from the 19th century that used blackface to depict African Americans unfavorably |
| Other incidents | Students from Covington Catholic mocked a Native American elder while wearing "Make America Great Again" hats; students' zealous chanting was interpreted as abrasive and racially insensitive by some opponents |
| "OK" sign | Players on the team's bench celebrated by making the "OK" sign, a hand signal often used after a 3-point shot |
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What You'll Learn
Kathy Griffin's deleted tweet
In 2019, comedian Kathy Griffin posted a tweet that caused controversy. The now-deleted tweet showed a screenshot of a basketball team on the bench, making the "OK" sign with their hands. The caption read: "Covington's finest throwing up the new Nazi sign". The players in the image were from Covington Catholic High School, and the hand signal in question is commonly used in basketball to signify a 3-point shot.
The tweet was in reference to a viral video that surfaced in 2019, showing students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky appearing to mock a Native American elder while wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. This incident sparked significant public and media scrutiny of the school. In the context of this controversy, Griffin's tweet drew comparisons between the hand gesture made by the basketball players and a Nazi symbol.
However, many people disagreed with Griffin's interpretation of the hand signal as a Nazi symbol. They pointed out that the "OK" sign is commonly used in basketball to celebrate a 3-point shot and shared images of NBA stars like Steph Curry and LeBron James, as well as other celebrities, making the same gesture. The intent of the gesture, they argued, was not related to Nazism but was rather a standard celebration in the sport.
Griffin's tweet sparked a backlash, with many criticising her for comparing high school basketball players to Nazis based on a misinterpretation of their hand gestures. In response to the criticism, Griffin deleted the tweet shortly after posting it. This incident was not the first time Griffin had courted controversy with her tweets. In 2017, she posted a photo of herself holding a Donald Trump mask covered in fake blood, which caused widespread outrage and prompted discussions about the appropriateness of joking about killing the president.
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Covington Catholic's basketball game photo controversy
In 2019, a photograph purportedly from a Covington Catholic High School basketball game sparked controversy. The image, which went viral, showed students wearing blackface and/or black body paint in the stands, yelling at a black player. This incident occurred amid heightened scrutiny of the school following a separate controversy involving students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky who were seen in a viral video appearing to mock a Native American elder while wearing "Make America Great Again" hats.
While the authenticity of the photograph was initially questioned, evidence suggested that it was indeed genuine. The image appeared to depict a game between Covington Catholic and "Clark County," as indicated by the opposing player's uniform, and the date of the game was identified as November 27, 2012. Additionally, the official YouTube page of Covington Catholic had posted a video titled "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video," which showed students covered in black paint at several basketball games, further corroborating the authenticity of the photograph.
The context of the blackface and/or black body paint was explained as a school tradition related to "blackout" games, where fans wore black to support the team. However, the interpretation of this tradition was not without controversy. While some understood it as harmless, others drew connections to racist minstrel shows from the 19th century, underscoring the complexity of interpreting cultural practices through a contemporary lens.
Separately, Covington Catholic also faced scrutiny for their zealous chanting at sporting events, with some opponents and observers finding their behavior abrasive and racially insensitive. In one instance, a black player, Phillip Hawkins, recalled hearing chants of "car-a-mel" directed at him during a game in the 2014-15 season. Hawkins' mother, who was present at the game, expressed her disappointment and shock at the incident.
Additionally, in the aftermath of the viral video involving the Native American elder, comedian Kathy Griffin tweeted about the Covington Catholic basketball players, suggesting that they were using a Nazi hand gesture. The tweet, which was later deleted, showed players on the team's bench celebrating and using their hands to make the "OK" sign, a common gesture in basketball after a successful three-point shot.
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Covington Catholic's zealous chanting
Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky has been at the centre of several controversies related to the conduct of its students. The school is known for its zealous chanting, and its students' actions have been described as abrasive and racially insensitive by some opponents at past games.
One incident involved students from the school wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and appearing to mock a Native American elder during an Indigenous Peoples March in Washington. This incident sparked scrutiny from the public and news media, leading to further investigations into the school's sporting events and cheering practices.
Alumni have described Covington Catholic's zealous chanting and cheering as a significant part of the school's culture and take pride in their sports teams. The school's student cheering section is nicknamed the "Colonel Crazies". However, their behaviour has been criticised by some as crossing the line into insensitivity.
In one instance, a former student of colour recalled a game during the 2014-15 season where, as he stepped up to the free-throw line, he heard the crowd from Covington Catholic chanting "car-a-mel, car-a-mel". His mother, who was in the audience, found this chant racially offensive.
In another incident, students from Covington Catholic were accused of using the "OK" hand gesture, which some interpreted as a Nazi symbol. However, this gesture is commonly used in basketball to celebrate a 3-point shot, and many NBA stars have been seen making the same sign.
While the school's spirited cheering and chanting may be a source of pride for its students and alumni, it has also led to questions about the appropriateness of their behaviour and the potential for racial insensitivity. These incidents have sparked discussions about the normalisation of certain chants and gestures and the need for guidance and education for students.
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Covington Catholic's cheering practices
Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky is known for its zealous cheering section, the "Colonel Crazies". The school takes pride in its sports, and its students are passionate about cheering on their teams. However, their enthusiastic support has sometimes been viewed as abrasive or even racially insensitive by opposing teams and their supporters.
One particular incident involving the "Colonel Crazies" occurred in 2012, when students covered themselves in black body paint and yelled at a black player during a basketball game. While some interpreted this as a racist act, others claimed it was part of a school tradition known as "blackout" games, where fans wear black to support the team.
In another incident, the "Colonel Crazies" were accused of flashing the "OK" sign, which some interpreted as a Nazi hand gesture. However, this sign is commonly used in basketball to celebrate a 3-point shot.
The school's cheering practices have been described as a big part of Covington Catholic's culture, with alumni expressing pride in their zealous chanting and energetic support for their sports teams. However, these practices have also drawn scrutiny and criticism, with some calling for guidance and education for the students to ensure their actions are respectful and sensitive to others.
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Covington Catholic's political apparel
The students of Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky have been involved in several controversies related to their behaviour and political apparel at sporting events. One such incident involved the students wearing blackface and/or black body paint during a basketball game while yelling at a black player. While some sources suggested that the blackface was part of a school tradition related to "blackout" games, others pointed out its resemblance to racist minstrel shows from the 19th century.
In another incident, the students were accused of mocking a Native American elder while wearing "Make America Great Again" hats during an anti-abortion rally in Washington. This incident sparked scrutiny from the public and news media, leading to a third-party investigation by the diocese. Alumni of Covington Catholic have also shared recollections of zealous and racially insensitive chants during basketball games, such as chanting "car-a-mel" when a black player was at the free-throw line.
In response to these incidents, some have suggested that students reconsider wearing political apparel while on school trips. However, others have defended the students, arguing that their actions were taken out of context and that school cheering traditions are an important part of Covington Catholic culture.
The "OK" hand gesture, which is commonly used in basketball to celebrate a 3-point shot, has also been associated with Covington Catholic students. While some, like Kathy Griffin, interpreted this gesture as a "Nazi sign," others countered that it is a standard celebration in the basketball community, with many NBA stars and athletes from other sports also making the same hand sign.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the basketball team was seen flashing the "OK" sign in a tweet by Kathy Griffin, which was later deleted.
The photo showed the players on the team's bench celebrating and using the "OK" sign, a common hand signal in basketball after a 3-point shot.
Many people posted photos of NBA stars making the same gesture to prove that it was not a Nazi symbol.
The principal and athletic director of Covington Catholic did not return messages seeking comment. The diocese stated that there would be a third-party investigation to determine appropriate corrective actions.
Yes, the school has faced scrutiny for its zealous chanting and abrasive behaviour during sporting events, including an incident where students were seen wearing blackface and/or black body paint while yelling at a black player during a basketball game.
