Contributed Image / Franklin County High School’s 1950 yearbook features the school’s Rebel Mascot.The embattled Franklin County (Tennessee) High School Rebel mascot will remain after a vote to replace him failed 5-3 on Monday night at the county school board meeting.
The board met Oct. 12 on the challenge to the team mascot and Rebel name and symbols, described by some in Franklin County to be offensive for its ties to the Confederacy. The mascot was called into question in July when a petition was filed and four speakers addressed the school board.
The Rebel – also known as Mr. Rebel, the Southern Gentleman or Col. Rebel – has been the high school mascot since 1950 and the name Rebels is on team uniforms, fan wear, equipment and featured in other sports programs and activities.
In the long-awaited roll call vote on a motion to remove the Rebel mascot, the song “Dixie,” the “Southern Gentleman” image and a Confederate flag element on the school seal from the high school, its teams and band, school board members Chris Guess, Cleijo Walker, Lance Williams, Christine Hopkins and Caycee Hanger Roberts voted to keep the symbols, while Sara L. Keichty, Sarah Marhevsky and Linda Jones voted to reject them.
None of the school board members responded this week to requests for comment on the reasoning behind their votes. Board members did not discuss the issue before they voted in the part-virtual, part-in-person board meeting, according to a recording provided to the Times Free Press by the school system.