A so-called god gesture disqualifies team in Columbus, TX after one of the high-school track team members pointed upwards the sky.

Columbus High School’s 4 x 100 relay team cannot go to the state championship after one of their runners made a gesture towards the sky, according to WFAA TV.

After the ream ran one of the fastest race of the year, runner Derrick Hayes pointed upwards toward the sky, which his father said was a religious gesture and a way to celebrate the win for his son.

“It was a reaction. He just said, ‘Dad, I was pointing at the heavens. As a team, they reached their goal and, in an instant it was just gone, over something we think is a non-issue,” according to Derrick Hay’s father.

“To see four kids, you know, what does that tell them about the rest of their lives? You’re going to do what’s right, work extra hard, and have it ripped away from you?” he questioned, frustrated with the ruling.

The Columbus ISD Superintendent Robert O’Connor, however, said that the gesture was against high-school sports’ rules and that the team cannot partake in an excessive act of celebration. This includes raising hands.

“I don’t think that the situation was technically a terrible scenario as far as his action, but the action did violate the context of the rule,” said Connor.

The superintended further elaborated to FOX News in Houston: “You can do whatever you want to in terms of prayer, kneeling or whatever you want to once you get out of the competition area. You just can’t do it in the competition area. It goes back to the taunting rule. I can’t taunt my opponent.”

O’Connor said the disqualification was “heartbreaking” and said he has received a number of e-mails, including one that said, “Dear sir, you, are an idiot.”
According to O’Connor, he was not responsible for the decision and it was handed down by the league.