A federal appeals panel awarded a narrow legal win to a former Illinois State University football coach who said posting a sign reading “All Lives Matter to Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ” on his office door cost him his job in 2020, allowing him to continue suing the university over his demotion and ultimate removal, allegedly in violation of his constitutional rights.
Kurt Beathard was the Redbirds’ offensive coordinator heading into the 2020 season. In August, athletic department employees printed posters featuring athletes in ISU uniforms and the Black Lives Matter slogan. Beathard said he doesn’t know who put the sign outside his door, but he replaced it with his handwritten sign that was in place for about two weeks.
Due to Covid mitigations, athletes weren’t allowed in the office area, but Beathard alleged another coach who sought his position shared a picture of the sign with players who responded by threatening to continue an ongoing practice boycott.