Shocking video shows California high school football players hold 'deeply offensive' mock slave auction

In a written statement delivered to CNN, Yuba City Unified School District Superintendent Doreen Osumi called the behavior of the boys, 'deeply offensive and disgraceful.'

'The recording clearly demonstrates that this situation was orchestrated and organized, which underscores my concern that students spent time contemplating this terrible act without the slightest regard that this action is hateful and hurtful,' she said. 

'They may have thought this skit was funny but it is not; it is unacceptable and requires us to look honestly and deeply at issues of systemic racism.

'Re-enacting a slave sale as a prank tells us that we have a great deal of work to do with our students so they can distinguish between intent and impact.

'When students find humor in something that is so deeply offensive, it tells me that we have an opportunity to help them expand their mindset to be more aware, thoughtful and considerate of others,' she added. 

The team members identified in the 'unfortunate and extremely distressing incident' video were immediately suspended for the remainder of the season for violating the school's student-athlete code of conduct and may face additional disciplinary consequences.