Florida State University President John Thrasher is calling a fan's social media post depicting football coach Willie Taggart getting lynched "ignorant and despicable."
FSU ended a disappointing first season under Taggart with a loss Saturday to in-state rival the University of Florida. Many fans took to social media, expressing their disappointment.
But one Facebook post included a meme depicting an image of Taggart, who is black, being superimposed on what appears to be a historical picture of an actual lynching – a man hanging from a tree, a chain around his neck, along with the words: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing your rep."
The original post came with the caption: "I'm dead [expletive] serious. This is how far I'm willing to go to get rid of this clown!!!"
In a statement issued Sunday, Thrasher indicated the post is being investigated by the state attorney. Thrasher also said "Coach Taggart has our full support" and is a "respected member of the FSU family."
FSU ended its season with a 5-7 record. The Facebook post on the page belonging to a person identified as Tom Shand had been taken down.
