According to a recent report by the Portland Tribune, a Beaverton High softball player has accused Bob Boyer – Beaverton High’s football coach – of using the n-word. However, many who claim to have been present at the time of the incident say that the coach is being wrongfully accused, or that the coach was misunderstood by the student.
Here’s how the story goes…
On July 20th, the Beaverton High School softball team ended their final practice of the year, and some players were taking a break in the dugout reportedly playing unreasonably loud music, including a song (Shabba by A$AP Ferg) that contained several curse words and the n-word.
At some point, Bob Boyer, Beaverton High’s Football Coach, walked into the dugout to speak to the girls about playing loud and inappropriate music with obscenities in the lyrics.
According to the girl who was playing the music in the dugout – who refused to be identified but goes by “Y” and claims to be a person of color – Boyer quoted the n-word from the lyrics contained in the song, presumably to give the girls an example of the obscene words being used in the song.
At that point, “Y” claims that she told Boyer that he “shouldn’t say the n-word,” adding, “you are not a black person, you are white.”
Boyer became more frustrated with Y’s accusations and her apparently disrespectful behavior.
The incident was ultimately diffused by another coach who stepped into the dugout.
Later that week, Y’s mother contacted the Beaverton School District to complain about the interaction and to accuse the coach of using racial slurs. The Superintendent, Don Grotting, has since been investigating the matter.
Many in the community have jumped to Boyer’s defense, pointing out that Coach Boyer is a well-known and staunch supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some claim that they were present during the incident in the dugout, and that Boyer is being wrongfully accused and the incident is being misrepresented. Others say that Boyer could not have done it, or that there had to be a serious misunderstanding.
According to a witness who was present: “As a community member, who was enjoying dinner on this night outside with my family, I can attest to the offensive words being played… the length this song was played gave me enough time to realize what was being said, go ask my children what it was called, and continue to sit there in astonishment. Bob Boyer acted as a community member and stood up for everyone who was not able, or comfortable to do so…This family has three Black Lives Matter signs in their yard, they opened their home to a person of color for two years when they needed help, and they, especially Bob, welcomes everyone for who and what they are.” – Mina (via Facebook)
“[Bob] deserves an apology and then some for the totally ridiculous accusations set out here.” – Linda Mills (via Facebook)
“Bob literally let a player, who was African American, stay and live at his home his senior year after his parents moved. When a teammate of mine, who was African American, died of cancer before the season, there was nobody as distraught about it (besides his family) as Bob was.” – Jack Wrigley-Clarke (via Facebook)
“[Bob] constantly demonstrates integrity, honesty, respect and emphasizes the importance of having an inclusive team dynamic. Never once in my life have I ever considered Bob Boyer being remotely close to racist. Him and his family [prioritize] equality, fairness and always have wide open arms to everyone in their community. They also provided a home and a loving family relationship to a student of color who would not have graduated high school without their support.” – Maddie (via Facebook)
Mr. Boyer has yet to comment.
