Late last week, Arkansas State University (ASU) lifted the ban on their team’s helmet crosses; however, the players had to foot the bill for decals. The crosses were used to symbolize two fallen teammates, former player Markel Owens, and former equipment manager, Barry Weyer. ASU had been ordered by the FFRF to either change or modify the religious symbol, to less offend the general population, following complaints that the crosses violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S Constitution. “How sad that we live in a nation where it is against the law for a university football coach to design a memorial that includes a religious icon,” the university announced in a letter. The Liberty Institute, a law firm specializing in religious disputes, had given the university until Wednesday to reverse its decision of banning the crosses, or face a possible lawsuit. Not wanting to shine in a negative light, ASU complied, lifting the ban on helmet crosses. “This is a great victory for the players of Arkansas State University,” said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Institute.

Although the ban has been lifted, ASU still states that they had a viable reason to ban the crosses. They denied and violated anyone’s constitutional rights as American citizens. Arkansas State wore the specialized helmets to two games before the ban was placed. No complaints had been voiced. Although no complaints had arisen, the perpetually offended FFRF co-presidents Annie Gaylor and Dan Barker went as far as to suggest that the team come up with better ways to mourn. “Many teams around the country honor former teammates by putting that player’s number on their helmets or jerseys, or by wearing a black armband.” The FFRF wrote to the university, “ Either of those options, or another symbolic gesture, free from religion imagery, would be appropriate.”

Fearing the potential upcoming lawsuit, ASU legal counsel Lucinda McDaniel suggested the cross be modified into a makeshift mathematical plus sign, because nothing says “I miss you buddy” like algebra. The team disagreed. It started as a cross, and they wanted it to stay as a cross. Later that week, the Liberty Institute issued a statement to the press saying that if the memorial was designed by students, then it would be acceptable, but ASU soon responded saying that the memorial was designed by the head coach and his staff, which was not okay. ASU had stated that the memorial was jointly approved by members of the team’s leadership council and coaching staff, while being paid with public funds, They seemingly got it approved by everyone accept the university’s legal department. When this was brought to the attention of ASU’s legal officers, the decals were modified to be single, horizontal bars. This was done to avoid Establishment Clause concerns.

“At no time was it ever our intention to limit the free speech of our student athletes,” McDaniel wrote, “The university strongly believes in the rights of our students to freely express their beliefs.”

The ASU has now confirmed that the display of the stickers will be completely voluntary and completely independent of university involvement.