NAACP Seeks Federal Investigation over High School Football Locker Room Incident

A white high school football player in Mississippi allegedly put a noose around the neck of an African-American teammate and yanked backward while the two were preparing for practice Oct. 13, and the state's NAACP chapter is calling for a federal investigation of a possible hate crime.

On Monday, John Barr of ESPN.com reported on the alleged incident, which took place at Stone County High School.

The victim has returned to school and the team, and a student alleged to be involved in the incident was kicked off the squad.

"The individual that was responsible hasn't been with our team since the incident," Tomcats head coach John Feaster said, per Barr. "I just want it understood: It could have been the biggest superstar, and he would have been gone. I don't care who it is—if you do something like that, you can't be part of our team."

The coach, who is also African-American, said his focus is on helping the victim:

"Trust me. I understand. I'm an African-American male, and I was born and raised in Mississippi. It's sad that something like this happens in 2016. I just pray we can get it together.

"I feel bad for the kid it happened to. That's where my major concern is."

During a news conference Monday, Derrick Johnson, the president of the Mississippi chapter of the NAACP, demanded an investigation.

"We're calling on federal investigators to view this as a racial hate crime," he said, per Barr. "No child should be in fear of going to school. No child should be walking down the hall or in the locker room and be accosted with a noose around their neck. This is 2016, not 1916."

Johnson said at least three white players were involved in the alleged incident, though Feaster said it was only one.