The game was over before it began

Slone won the toss and elected to receive. It really didn't matter, but the Slone coach wanted to avoid a long kickoff return and a quick seven points. His receiving team took the field, and the Lobos lined up to kick. Ten black kids and a white kicker. At the whistle, the player closest to the ball suddenly stepped forward and grabbed it. It was a move that had never been seen before, and for a second everyone was startled. The ten black members of the kickoff team then yanked off their helmets and laid them on the turf. The referees blew their whistles, the coaches yelled, and for a few seconds there was total confusion. On cue, the other black Longview players walked onto the field dropping their helmets and jerseys as they went. The Slone players on the field backed away in disbelief. The game was over before it began. The black players formed a tight circle and sat together at midfield, the modern-day version of a sit-in. The officials, four white and two black, huddled briefly and kept their cool. None of the six volunteered to attempt to get the football. The Longview coach walked to midfield and said, "What the hell is going on here?" "Game's over, Coach," said Number 71, a 330-pound tackle and co-captain. "We ain't playing," said Number 2, the other co-captain. "Why not?" "It's a protest," said Number 71. "We're solid with our brothers in Slone." The coach kicked the turf and weighed his options. It was clear that this situation was not about to change, not anytime soon. "Well, just so you understand what you are doing here, this means we'll have to forfeit, which knocks us out of the play-offs, and they'll probably find some kind of probation for us. That what you guys want?" All sixty or so said "Yes!" in unison. The coach threw up his hands, walked off the field, and sat on the bench. The Slone coach called his players off the field.