Ohio high school football coach resigns after his team repeatedly used ‘Nazi’ as a play call against rival from a largely Jewish suburb of Cleveland

An Ohio high school football team used the term “Nazi” as a play call in a recent game against a largely Jewish rival, leading to the resignation of its head coach amid accusations of bigotry.

Brooklyn High School coach Tim McFarland and his players repeatedly used the word “Nazi” in the game against Beachwood — a Cleveland suburb that is about 90 percent Jewish, according to a 2011 study.

The Brooklyn team stopped using the term in the second half of the game after Beachwood threatened to take its players off the field, according to a statement from Beachwood Schools Superintendent Robert Hardis.

However, several Brooklyn players continued to make racist comments about Beachwood players during the game, the statement said.

McFarland submitted his resignation Monday morning. Brooklyn Schools Superintendent Ted Caleris said in a statement that McFarland “expresses his deepest regrets” and that he and the school apologize for “hurtful and harmful statements” that “will not be tolerated.”

Brooklyn High School (in white) is accused of using “Nazi” as a play call against Beachwood

Caleris also stated that Brooklyn High School has been contacted by the Anti-Defamation League of Ohio and hopes to use the organization as a resource moving forward following the incident.

Hardis confirmed in a statement that the two school districts are in close contact and that Brooklyn has been “appropriately concerned and apologetic.”

“This is not the first time Beachwood student-athletes have been subjected to anti-Semitic and racist slurs,” Hardis also said. “We always hope this is the last.”

The statements made no mention of disciplinary action against the players involved.

Brooklyn (Ohio) used the term in the first half before changing to another word in the second half

Anti-Semitism in the United States has increased significantly in recent years, with no signs of abating, according to a study by Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of anti-Semitic incidents increased by 35 percent.

In 2022, McFarland was honored as a guest speaker at the annual Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Clinic in Columbus, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page.

“Coach McFarland accepted the head coaching position in Brooklyn under tremendous adversity and led the Hurricanes to a 4-7 overall record, including the Hurricanes’ first-place finish in the OHSAA playoffs,” the 2022 post read.

“He is an excellent coach and role model for our football team and the Brooklyn Hurricanes are very fortunate to have him as head coach. Hurricane pride!’