Photo by Matthew Goeckner: https://www.pexels.com/photo/intense-high-school-football-game-action-shot-28532605/
With the beginning of the school year comes the start of fall sports seasons. Child sports games and adults being arrested for being outlandish go together like peanut butter and jelly. Five arrests were chosen and listed in no particular order, but there were many cases that were not included just in the month of September. Emotional regulation is a gift, folks. Let’s try to go into our next month of sports with poise and grace.
First Of Fives Arrests
In Lebanon, Tennessee, two adults were arrested on September 18th. The adults were fighting at Winfree Bryant Middle School during a football game. The parents of participants were arguing over unspecified things in the stands. Coaches ran up to the fight to break it up and caught some stray punches too. Both parents were arrested and are facing assault and disorderly conduct. The local sheriff’s office wants this to be a reminder for parents to bring it down a notch.
No. 2
Tasers came into play in Salina, Kansas, on September 13 at a high school football game. Salina South High School had more excitement than they were anticipating following the football game. A ‘disruptive’ fan was asked to leave the stands by a resource officer and security guard.
The 43-year-old man wasn’t interested since he claimed he was waiting for someone. When further prompted, he attacked the resource officer. The 38-year-old female resource officer had a contusion above her eye after being struck multiple times. The security guard in his 60s had a head injury after being punched. The disruptive fan had to be tased twice to be taken into police custody.
#3
In Mount Caramel, Pennsylvania, there was double trouble when both mom and dad both got impolite on September 15th. The couple in their early 40s were enraged at a youth football game. A bad referee call set them off. A relatable feeling for most football fans. What isn’t usual is the parent’s response.
A coach attempted to calm the parents’ down, and they entered the field and punched the man together. Somehow, during the scuffle, another woman was punched by the wife, and football equipment was damaged. When the police arrived, the husband took off running after fighting and being handcuffed. He was tackled a block away. Both parents are facing assault charges, and the husband got an extra charge for hoofing it out of the stadium.
No. 4
On September 21st, two Gulf County, Florida, women started their day attending a Little League football game and ended it in jail. The ladies were beefing in full view of players, fans, and game officials alike. One woman battered another. Her opponent was screaming slurs and profanities. That will be a long day in holding if they aren’t separated.
Last But Not Least Of The Arrests
Life was stranger than fiction on September 7th at Branford, Florida. At a team practice prior to a football game at a Branford High School, the head coach caught a stray. An assistant coach of one team got into an argument with a fan of the opposing team. Somehow the head coach was arrested, although it’s unclear if he was involved in the fight.
An off-duty deputy arrested the head coach for criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. Videos were released of the arrest, and it had onlookers concerned. Allegedly, the off-duty officer didn’t announce himself during the arrest. He also body slammed the HC into the ground worryingly hard, according to onlookers. Watch your back out there; it could get broken on the turf.
Conclusion
Youth football games are dangerous. It’s harmful for the young boys who could sustain brain trauma before the organ is even fully developed. But if you’re a coach, security officer, resource officer, or a fellow parent, you aren’t safe either. The lack of poise and grace modeled in front of America’s young people is horrific. Youth sports are supposed to be a place of community and bonding. Step up, parents, and read more of my articles here!
