As reported by Local 15 News, Lee County Schools have banned student-led prayer before football games.

Until this point, students had been allowed to lead prayer by use of the school public address system. However, due to a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) complaining of prayer at Smith’s High School season-opening game, school district officials have now decided to end the practice.

In their letter, the FFRF alleged that a parent of a Smith Station Student came to them complaining the about the prayer. School officials then concluded that the practice ran afoul of a federal law which prohibits school-sponsored prayer in public schools.

In a press release, Lee County School superintendent, James McCoy, said that he explored several avenues that would allow the students to continue, but ultimately decided that none existed.

Now students at the school have asked members of the community to participate in a silent prayer before each game.