Sep 16, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) makes the call at the line against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports The Texas school superintendent who made a racially charged comment about Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has resigned, a Houston television station reported Saturday. The Onalaska Independent School District’s Board of Trustees accepted a letter of resignation from Lynn Redden after a meeting Saturday morning, according to ABC 13. Redden came under fire for a comment posted on the Houston Chronicle’s Facebook page following the Texans’ Week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans. “You can’t count on a black quarterback,” he wrote. The school board issued a statement earlier this week about Redden’s remarks. “The OISD does not condone negative comments or actions toward any race,” the statement read. “The District values every individual and therefore the District will take the appropriate measures to address the situation expeditiously and completely.” --Field Level Media<doc-sep>/Jacob McAdams The superintendent of an East Texas school district who said “you can’t count on a black quarterback” has resigned, calling his comments “wrong and inappropriate” in a letter addressed to the school board president. Lynn Redden, who made the comment Monday on the Chron.com Facebook page in reference to Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, submitted his resignation letter to the board Saturday.<doc-sep>“WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION from the superintendent.” #breaking #Onalaska ISD board meeting concludes pic.twitter.com/wa736acaJO — Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) September 22, 2018 ONALASKA, Texas (KTRK) -- The superintendent of Onalaska Independent School District has resigned after his controversial comments about Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.During a special school board meeting on Saturday morning, officials confirmed receiving former superintendent Lynn Redden's resignation letter.In the resignation letter to the district, Redden wrote, "I apologize." and "I have a lot to learn. "Redden had been under fire after screenshots surfaced showing a comment he posted on the Houston Chronicle's Facebook page. It read, "You can't count on a black quarterback. "The incident began on Monday, when the Chronicle posted a meme on its Facebook page, referencing the final seconds of the Texans' loss to Tennessee, in which Watson held on to the ball.Houstonian Matt Erickson commented on the meme, saying that's why he never watches the "perpetual dumpster fire that is the Houston Texans. "That's when Redden replied in a public post, "That may have been the most inept quarterback decision I've seen in the NFL," and "When you need precision decision making you can't count on a black quarterback. "Redden also apologized directly to Watson in his resignation letter. "I recognize that given the opportunity to respond by criticizing or belittling me, he chose peace instead. In spite of the terrible position I put him in, he showed himself to be the kind of role model I'd be proud for any of my students to follow," Redden wrote.More than 25 people filled the special meeting, waiting to hear more from Redden, but for the most part, they were satisfied with the final outcome. "The comments had me physically ill. It showed me his heart, and it wasn't good." Onalaska resident Rosemary Covalt said.Redden had been with the district for 12 years, and a part of public education for 42 years.<doc-sep>The Onalaska ISD superintendent who said "you can't count on a black quarterback" has resigned, calling his comments "wrong and inappropriate" in a letter addressed to the school board president. Lynn Redden, who made the comment Monday morning on the Chron.com Facebook page in reference to Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, submitted his resignation letter to the school board Saturday. Redden told the Houston Chronicle he regretted making the comment. He was referring to the last play of the Texans' Sunday loss, when Watson held onto the ball during the game's final seconds. "That may have been the most inept quarterback decision I've seen in the NFL," he wrote. "When you need precision decision making you can't count on a black quarterback." IRONIC: Superintendent listed as district's civil rights coordinator Redden received swift public backlash for his comment, including from defensive end J.J. Watt, who called it "unfortunate" and "very ignorant." Redden, who is white, apologized in his resignation letter and said the comments "have been an embarrassment to the district, my family, friends and to me." His resignation is effective Sunday. "As an educator, this experience has taught me that I still have a lot to learn," Redden wrote to board president Ted Wiggins. "My comments were not only uninformed but also hurtful, and I understand now why they were offensive to so many people." Redden earned a base salary of $113,006 for the 2017-18 school year, Texas Education Agency records show. The district will pay him for unused personal and leave days at his current daily rate, according to a copy of Redden's voluntary separation agreement provided to the Chronicle. The school board, which accepted Redden's resignation letter after holding a closed meeting Saturday, issued a statement Saturday stating that it "does not condone negative comments or actions toward any race." "The district values every individual, and therefore the district will take the appropriate measures to address the situation expeditiously and completely," the statement said. Attempts to reach members of the district's board and administration were not successful. Ashley Maichetti, executive assistant to the superintendent's office, declined to comment. Redden served as the district's civil rights coordinator and its Title IX coordinator, according to federal documents. Title IX ensures compliance with federal sex discrimination laws. About 1,100 students attend Onalaska ISD, located about 100 miles north of Houston. Of those, 86 percent are white and less than 2 percent are black, according to 2017-18 data from the TEA. More than 70 percent come from low-income families. Watson, asked if he believed Redden should be fired, said, "I only worry about what I can control." Redden apologized to Watson directly in his resignation letter. "I recognize that given the opportunity to respond by criticizing or belittling me, he chose peace and positivity instead," Redden wrote. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said, "Deshaun represents everything that's right about football and life. It's amazing that BS exists, but it does." Redden said he mistakenly thought he was responding to a friend's private message. He deleted the post, but Spring resident Matt Ericksen sent the Chronicle screenshots of the comment Monday. In his resignation letter, Redden said he hoped people would remember him for his "body of work over 42 years in public education, rather than by my unwarranted and inappropriate comments."<doc-sep>
Texas school superintendent Lynn Redden has resigned after he made a racist comment toward Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Onalaska Independent School District's Board of Trustees accepted Redden's resignation after a special meeting held Saturday morning. Redden's racist remark came after the Texans dropped to 0-2 on the season after falling to the Titans 27-20 in Week 2. On the final play of the game against Tennessee, Watson had a chance to possibly tie the game but held on to the ball as the clock expired. "That may have been the most inept quarterback decision I've seen in the NFL," Redden wrote in the comments section of an article posted on the Houston Chronicle's website. "When you need precision decision making you can't count on a black quarterback." Redden later deleted the post and told the Chronicle that he regretted his comments. Watson was asked about the comments in a press conference Wednesday. “That’s on him,” he said. “May peace be with him. I’m all about love, so I don’t focus on any of that. I love all people. And that’s what I focus on. It’s part of life. I can’t control other people and what their beliefs are.” In his letter of resignation, Redden apologized to the Board of Trustees, staff, students and patrons of the school district, as well as apologizing directly to Deshaun Watson. "As an educator, this experience has taught me that I still have a lot to learn," Redden wrote. "My comments were not only uninformed but also hurtful and I understand now why they were offensive to so many people. I'd like to apologize directly to Deshaun Watson. I recognize that given the opportunity to respond by criticizing or belittling me, he chose peace and positivity instead. In spite of the terrible position I put him in, he showed himself to be the kind of role model I'd be proud for any of my students to follow." Read Redden's complete letter of resignation below, per ABC13 Houston's Courtney Fischer. "I do hope that those who know me well and those who have worked with me will remember me for my body of work over 42 years in public education, rather than by my unwarranted and inappropriate comments," Redden concluded.