A high school football assistant coach in Florida was fired after he was seen on video punching a teenage player on his team in the middle of last Friday night’s game.
The coach, who has not yet been identified, was fired after a video of the shocking incident was posted to X by former NFL player Kevin Hobbs and went viral.
The player from Jesuit High School in Tampa, a private Catholic school, appears to run toward the sideline as the team tries to complete a late substitution.
As he reaches the sideline, the assistant coach clearly punches the boy in the helmet.
The role of a coach goes beyond shaping young athletes into great football players; it is about transforming them into exceptional individuals within our society. You should NEVER reach a point where you feel it necessary to participate in this,” Hobbs wrote.
A high school football assistant coach in Florida was fired after he was seen on video punching a teenage player on his own team in the middle of last Friday night’s game.
As the video — which Hobbs punctuated by writing “#shameful” — continues, the coach continues to walk up to the student and yell at the student for several seconds.
The coach then leaves the player wearing number 94 behind and starts yelling at another group of players who were about to substitute on the field. It’s unclear what exactly upset the assistant coach.
The blow occurred during a heated rivalry game between Jesuit High School and Tampa Catholic, which Jesuit won 66-35.
Jesuit coach Matt Thompson would not comment on the incident when asked about it after the game, only telling reporters that “the matter is being addressed,” according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The coach is a part-time employee of the school and was fired by the team Sunday evening after the incident.
President of the Jesuit school, the Rev. Richard Hermes, explained the incident in communications with parents and families who attended.
The coach’s behavior “contradicts what the school stands for and is completely inconsistent with the expectations we have of coaches, moderators and faculty members, who should be role models for our students and mentors in their development as young men,” wrote Hermes.
The school noted that the player was not injured and that the student and family have been in contact with the school since the incident.
The player from Jesuit High School in Tampa, a private Catholic school, appears to run toward the sideline as the team tries to complete a late substitution
“We have met with the coach and informed him that he will no longer coach Jesuit football or assist the school in any other capacity,” Hermes added.
“Jesuit’s mission is to provide Christian formation and education to our students.”
“This requires that we maintain an environment for them that is safe, supportive and conducive to their well-being and growth. This standard applies to all activities, inside and outside the classroom.’
He concluded the letter by saying that the school will completely review its internal procedures and staff training.
It is unclear whether the coach will face any legal action as a result of the blow.
Videos of violence at football games – ranging from youth to the NFL – have gone viral on social media in recent weeks.
In one incident, a Los Angeles Raiders fan was punched and thrown down the stairs by a Los Angeles Chargers supporter
On Saturday, a member of the Texas Southern University marching band was filmed punching a fan in the stands.
The video shows the fan yelling at the band player as the musician delivers four blows to the audience with a tuba. It is unclear what led to the dispute in the viral video.
At the NFL level the Giants, the 49ers, the Bengals, the Commanders, the Rams, the Broncos, the Ravens and the Seahawks have all seen nasty scenes – in the stands or around the stadium – go viral.
A 53-year-old New England Patriots supporter died after being punched by a Miami Dolphins fan – although an autopsy revealed Dale Mooney may have succumbed to a ‘medical problem’.
In a statement to Mail Sport, the NFL said: ‘Our top priority is the safety of the more than one million fans who attend games every week. We regret the activities of a handful of fans that disrupt the enjoyment of others.”
A recent survey found that nearly 40 percent of NFL fans have witnessed crime in or around an NFL stadium; approximately one in fourteen has become a victim themselves. Nowhere have fans seen more disorder (63 percent) than at Lincoln Financial Field – home of the Philadelphia Eagles. The most common crime we’ve witnessed? Physical violence.