Town Rallies for Star Football Player Jailed for Pointing Gun

Use a gun, go to jail--and forget about playing high school football.

That school board decision Thursday night cost Sheboygan North High School one of its best players, who just happens to be serving a 10-month jail term.

Local support had been high for 17-year-old Damon T. Green to stay with the team, undefeated this year with Green as running back. A panel of teachers and coaches said football improved Green’s behavior and class attendance.

Green is serving time after his conviction as an adult for pointing a loaded gun at a man during a fight. Under state work-release law, he is entitled to leave jail to attend school.

But the school board voted unanimously to prohibit incarcerated students from taking part in after-school activities. Board vice president Ronald Rindfleisch said it was a matter of principle.

“The general community does not support a person who is in jail to participate in extracurricular activities,” Rindfleisch said.