Coach-teacher suspended after rant

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ROGERSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- An Alabama high school teacher and football coach was suspended for derogatory remarks about gays and first lady Michelle Obama, a school official said.

Bob Grisham, Lauderdale County High School psychology teacher and football coach, made the remarks in a debate-style classroom discussion of current affairs Jan. 27, NBC's "Today" program reported Tuesday.

Among other comments, recorded by a student, Grisham blamed the school's low-calorie lunches on "fat-butt Michelle Obama. Look at her. She looks like she weighs 185 or 190. She's overweight."

Grisham also mentioned his opinion of homosexuals, saying, "I don't believe in queers. I don't hate them as a person, but what they do is wrong and an abomination against God."

Grisham, who has taught at the school since 1991, admitted to the Florence Daily Times he misspoke during the class.

He has been suspended for 10 days without pay, will be barred from teaching, must attend sensitivity classes and will be assigned "other academic duties" for the rest of the semester, school superintendent Jennifer Gray said.

His coaching assignment was not addressed at Monday's Board of Education meeting, NBC said.