By George Slaughter
Bronson McClelland, the Katy High School quarterback, will miss the next two games and has been stripped of his team captaincy following the release of a social media video in which he used a racial slur.
Katy Independent School District administrators and police said they were made aware of the video following Thursday night’s game, a 35-30 Katy victory over Tompkins. The Tigers are 5-0 overall and 1-0 in District 19-6A play.
In a statement posted Friday afternoon to his Twitter account, McClelland, a junior, said the comments he made “were not appropriate under any circumstances.” He said he and his parents met with Katy coach Gary Joseph Friday morning to discuss the situation and how to deal with it.
McClelland will miss the Tigers’ next two games, against Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes, and will be eligible to return for the October 25 game against Cinco Ranch.
Senior Jacob Bernard will take McClelland’s place in the lineup.
McClelland said his suspension will give him time to focus his attention on what it means to be a member of the Katy football team.
“I ask for your understanding and support as I try to represent you in the manner expected from a member of a championship program,” McClelland said.
Against Tompkins Thursday, McClelland completed six of nine passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown. Overall this season, he has completed 43 of 65 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing two interceptions.
McClelland became the starting quarterback for the 2018 season.