(WISH-TV’s Jasmine Minor contributed to this story)
WESTFIELD, Ind.–Westfield Washington Schools is responding to photos of a Center Grove student wearing blackface over the weekend.
Westfield High School football player Popeye Williams says the photo shows black-marker drawings on the Center Grove High School player’s arm. He says those drawings are similar to the tattoos he has, which is what led him to believe the blackface was about him.
“To the kid that did that, you know, I wish you the best,” said Williams to WISH-TV. “I will forgive him for what he did and move on from it.”
Williams says the student has not reached out to him or offered an apology, but he is willing to have a conversation with the player to increase education.
On Saturday night, Center Grove beat Westfield in the IHSAA Class 6A football state championship 27-21.
“It is unfortunate that the recent media coverage has nothing to do with the great football that was played on the field,” said Dr. Paul A. Kaiser, superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools. “Instead, the lasting image is of a player in black face, mocking a Westfield community member. We’ve been in constant contact with Popeye, his family and other people who may have been impacted to support in any way they need. We want all Westfield families who may have been impacted by that act of racial bias to know that we stand with you and support you as well.”
Kaiser says the Westfield Washington Schools administration wants its community to know that it stands with Popeye Williams, “his family, our families of color, and anyone else impacted by the black face photos.”
