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Greenwich High School Headmaster Apologizes For 'Hitler' Football Play

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The headmaster of a Connecticut high school has apologized after its football team named one of its plays "Hitler.''

Chris Winters, of Greenwich High School, issued the apology Friday. He called the designation offensive and said the practice has been stopped.

A Trumbull mother told the Connecticut Post her son's freshman football team was playing Greenwich on Thursday when the players charged onto the field shouting "Hitler.'' Debbie Levison said the signal for the play was an index finger laid across the upper lip.

"I was extremely shocked," Levison, whose parents survived the Holocaust, told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell. 

The football team and coaches met with the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League to make sure they understand why it was offensive.

Levison credited the school for its response.

"They recognized the need for renewed education," Levison said.

The group's executive director told the Post he did not see intent to intimidate or anti-Semitism. He called it a teaching moment.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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